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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
The importance of counting the cost of discipleship ( Luke 14:25-33) and bearing the cross of faithfulness ( Luke 9:23-26) cannot be overstated. The cultural battles we face today are not only for the soul of our country but of our churches as well, as recrimination and discrimination come more and more from those who have decided that being loving and accepting means embracing those of “questionable” character and unrepentant conduct. Forgetting that sin is often catastrophic to our lives and ruinous of a hope for an after-life, they soft-pedal it if they mention it at all. They characterize Christ’s death on the cross as a supreme act of love and acceptance instead of the ultimate sacrifice for the sin that separates us from God.
The question, “How long will you waver between two opinions?” 1 Kings 18:21; is still relevant today – challenging those who “…worship the Lord,…” even as they still serve their idols. 2 Kings 17:41 (An idol being anything/anyone who takes God’s place in our hearts or discounts his word.) James describes such people as, “…a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind…” Characterizing them as “double-minded…” and “unstable…” James 1:8
Jesus pointed out that, “Every Kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” Matthew 12:25 Rather shockingly asking, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” Luke 12:51; “…a man against his father, a daughter against her mother… a man’s enemies will be the member of his own household.” Matthew 10:35,36 And while division is never the goal anyone forced to choose between the truth of Christ and those who maintain a form of godliness but deny it’s power ( 2 Timothy 3:5) will be recompensed “…a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29,30
But we are to be careful in our response to unbelievers, for as they are now, we once were. ( Ephesians 5:8) Paul instructing us to, “…not repay evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.” Not participating in evil or condoning it, but not being overly judgmental either. (See Matthew 7:1-5) “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:17,18 We are indeed counseled to, “…not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.” Romans 14:16 We accomplish that by, “Always be(ing)prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,…” 1 Peter 3:15 Some won’t respond “appropriately” to a reasonable call to faith in Christ accompanied by obedience to his will, they certainly won’t ever listen to a wild-eyed Bible-thumper who gives them no chance to discuss their thoughts or express their doubts.
Our true function is to, “…stand before (God) in the gap on behalf of the land…” Ezekiel 22:30; attempting to save the lost, representing God and standing for righteousness. Regardless of the outcome or consequences we may face, God has promised never to forsake us. ( Hebrews 13:5) In fact, in the midst of a disconcerting list of things that could possibly happen to a Christian, Jesus encourages us with the promise that, “…he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13 (See also Matthew 10:22)
And again, scripture gives us examples of godly men resolutely standing firm in their faith in Acts 3-5. Peter and John had been arrested for an unbelievable act of kindness that led to remarkable opportunities for evangelization that resulted in stupendous growth in the early church. All of which got them in trouble with the “authorities.”
After being interrogated by them, they could not refute those “unschooled, ordinary men” and were astonished by their courage. Noting that they had indeed been with Jesus during his ministry, they admitted that now, “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows that they have done an outstanding miracle.” They couldn’t deny it because the man who was now “walking and jumping and praising God” for all to see had been crippled from birth and as an adult had sat at the temple entrance begging alms.
Yet, so narrowly focused on preserving their privileges through power, their only response was to, “…warn these men to speak no longer in (Jesus) name.” Peter and John’s immediate reply being, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19,20
And so they did and got in trouble again for performing miracles and preaching to great effect; “…more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.” The high priest and associates had the Apostles reincarcerated, intending to try them the next day.” But during the night, an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. Telling them to continue preaching – not in hiding, but in the temple courts for all to see and hear. ( Acts 5:19,20)
Imagine the chief priests surprise when the guards informed them that the Apostles were not in their jail cell but were right next door, doing what they had been told by them not to do. Upon being hauled before the authorities again, the Apostles’ unapologetic response was, “We must obey God rather than men!” Acts 5:29 (And if you listen hard enough, you can hear echoes of, “Our God can save us… but even if he doesn’t…” Daniel 3:16-18)
Shortly before Joshua assumed the mantle of leadership over Israel, he was told to, “Be strong and courageous… Be strong and very courageous… Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9 Done today by heeding Paul’s instructions to, “…put on the full amour of God, so that when the day of evil comes you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ” Ephesians 6:13-17
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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