Is Your Faith Strong Enough for Ridicule?

   At the National Prayer Breakfast a few months ago Dr Ben Carson, a renowned pediatric neurosurgeon said that “PC is Dangerous”; he went on to say ““In this country, one of the founding principles was freedom of thought and freedom of expression. (Political correctness) puts a muzzle on people. We have imposed upon people restrictions on what they can say, on what they can think. And the media is the largest proponent of this, crucifying people who say things really quite innocently.”

   Standing up for one’s faith, for the Truth of the Bible is now under attack as being hateful, unfounded and bigotry.  Yes some, like Westboro church, have stepped over the line into hateful, unfounded and un-Christian rhetoric. But that does not mean proclaiming the Truth of God should be silenced!  In fact it is more important now to proclaim Christ as King and His Truth is the Only Truth than any other time in history.

   Will we be ridiculed for it? Yes, we may even be accused of all sorts of things in our future.  But look back t o Daniel who refused to compromise in the face of similar attacks.  God held him up and he will hold us up as well. 

The following is a letter found among the personal effects of a martyred Christian in Africa:

   “I am part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit’s power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look up, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.
   I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My pace is set, my gait is fact, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, and my mission clear.
   I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate and the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I’ve preached up, prayed up, stored up and stayed up the cause of Christ.
   I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear.”

    This man knew he could be killed for his faith.  Daniel knew that he was in danger for his convictions.  What have we got to lose in our stance?  Being called narrow minded or a bigot? Perhaps we may lose some friends.  But if we fail in our faith, how will it feel that day when we come face to face with God?