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by Ruth O’Neil
I recently saw an article that stated where some Christian celebrities stood on certain biblical/theological/cultural issues. What caught my attention the most was the ambiguity of many of them. It seemed they were more concerned about not hurting anyone’s feeling, or perhaps affecting their bottom line negatively, than they were about standing up for what was right and moral in God’s eyes.
God never promised that the Christian life would be easy. In fact, the closer Christ’s return comes, the harder it’s going to be. But as Christians, we need to develop some backbone. We need to take a stand on issues where God’s Word is clear. I’ve been in this situation and it has cost me some relationships. However, I would rather lose a relationship here on earth, no matter how much it hurts, than have to answer to God in heaven of why I went against His ways or why I didn’t stand up for what was righteous.
We often hear the phrase, “Hate the sin, not the sinner.” That was something I tried exceptionally hard to do. But through much prayer and thought I’ve realized it doesn’t matter. When people choose to live sinful lives, there isn’t a whole lot we can do to change their minds. They jump to the conclusion that since we don’t agree with or approve of their decisions, we are completely against them. In their eyes we hate them along with their sins.
The Bible talks about those churches that are lukewarm. They don’t take a stand on anything. They want everyone to be happy and won’t do anything that disturbs that happiness. Happiness is good and a gift from God, but not at the sacrifice of all that’s good and holy.
It can be some pretty rocky ground we walk on, but with the spiritual lives of so many at stake, we can’t afford to be ambiguous.
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:13-22 KJV).
About the Author:
Ruth O’Neil has been writing for over 20 years. She has published hundreds of articles in numerous publications. She loves to touch the emotions when she writes. “If I can make one person laugh or cry, I’ll consider myself successful.” Her first novel “Come Eat at My Table” has just come out in ebook form and can be purchased on her website. She homeschools her three children (well, one now, as two have graduated). She and her husband have been married for 20-plus years. In her spare time she enjoys quilting, crafting, and reading. You can visit her on her blog at ruths-real-life (dot)blogspot.com or her website at ruthoneil (dot)weebly.com
