not to those we choose

Do you believe God’s word? Do you believe each and every thing He tells you in His gift of the Holy Bible?

Today, I found myself on a crossroads. Would I take a stand and express how I feel about a worldly belief or would I sit back and say nothing out of fear?

Common arguments from many Christians when given the opportunity to witness really only boils down to one main concern:

“I do not want to seem closed minded.”

As Christians, many times we find ourselves not wanting to “push” our beliefs on anyone. We do not want to appear rude, judgmental, or even “uncool.” Taking a stand against what we hold to be the truth versus battling with the fear of being politically incorrect makes many go into a shell. Hearing conversations, seeing sin in action, witnessing worldly opinions reign; cause many to fight back only internally. By this I mean, we give every reason something is wrong, we stand up to every continuous sin that we see, and we witness for Christ in our thoughts instead of verbalizing this truth.

Often times it leads to later guilt for not taking that opportunity.

Was Jesus ashamed, scared, mean, closed minded, politically incorrect? Did Jesus just stand back and let not only His loved ones but also just an average passerby who didn’t ask His opinion leave His presence without them knowing the truth?

At times I think we feel we are imposing or pushing our beliefs on ones who appear happy with their life and do not have a relationship with Christ. However, Jesus saw it as witnessing.

I am not talking about bashing someone’s head against a wall until they get it. I am not speaking of repeating ourselves over and over and over to someone until they croak. I do not mean we should constantly badger someone who does not want to accept our truth. I am talking of lovingly telling someone of Christ's love and saving Grace. Giving someone the chance to know of a gift that offers a peace the world can not afford.

I am saying too that if we are in a situation, involved in a conversation, or amid a crowd of unbelievers that we need to lovingly stand up for Christ. We should be gently speaking of His truth and then letting Him do the rest.

No, we should not judge but we should speak up! We can lovingly speak out without appearing judgmental or argumentative.

^{Matthew 7:1-2} "Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

1 Peter 3:15  But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (ESV)

Yes, we may lose “friends”, we may even be the topic of discussion once we are away. We may even be considered (gasp) close minded. However, we are required to witness to everyone (Mark 16:15) and we are required to speak out truth against untruth.

Do you find it scary or nerve racking to witness or speak out against untruth? I do! I fear what I wrote on above. I fear people will think me rude, close minded and judgmental. However, what we do for Christ will never return as void and He has promised to always be with us. This is a conviction God has given to me that I wanted to share with you.

Rachel