Standing For Truth
When No One Else Will

In order to stand for truth when no one else will, a Christian must have more than fortitude in order to be in the right. Knowing what you believe, how to communicate, and having a genuine love for souls is necessary to being a productive defender of the faith no matter what the numerical situation.

Have you ever been unprepared for a job or task you are trying to accomplish? As a preacher, I strive to be as prepared as I can so that my lack of preparation does not become a stumbling block to those who hear me (1 Tim. 4:16). As Christians, we are given the charge to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15). Does the ability to defend your faith come naturally? Notice the first portion of 1 Peter 3:15. The word “sanctify” means to set something apart as holy, dedicated to God. Sanctification of God in our hearts is accomplished through Bible study, and the application of His word in our lives. By diligently seeking God, we will prove to Him our willingness to serve by growing our faith (Heb. 11:6; 2 Tim. 2:15; Rom. 10:17). If you are not prepared to defend the truth, perhaps you do not know the truth (Jn 17:17). Many in the church who profess to be Christians believe what they believe because they “have always done it that way.” As a preacher, I fear that the lack of Bible study by individual Christians is dulling their hearing—giving them a false sense of eternal security (Heb. 5:11-14).

“Hide it under a bushel…” we sang as children. Perhaps you feel like a Moses and have convinced yourself that your talent is not sitting down and teaching people. Those who claim to be bad communicators, thereby avoiding their responsibility to study with people, are making excuses for their lack of faith discussed in the previous paragraph. We communicate the Gospel two ways (Col. 3:17). First, our actions demonstrate our faithfulness. Jesus made this very clear with His illustration of the houses built (Matthew 7:24-27). We should seek to be “wise” by doing the will of God.

Second, our words communicate our faithfulness by the speech we use, and also by the carrying out of the Great Commission. By the nature of the process, in becoming a Christian, an individual learns what is needed to teach someone else. If our light is not shining, thus bringing the lost to God, then we must evaluate our own faith and salvation. Then make the necessary adjustments to properly light the world (Matt. 6:33; 2 Cor. 13:5).

The desire to stand should not be done merely as an obligation to God. A true passion for the lost will drive us to study, prepare, and speak more on behalf of mankind’s God (Rom. 10:1-4; Phil. 3:18). As we are in the supermarket, we notice people. We notice them usually by what they are wearing, or for what they are shopping. Next time notice them as having a soul that could be lost. Instead of asking who made their wonderful jacket, ask them if they know who made them. You had better be prepared to discuss your faith, and share the Gospel with them. If you are too scared to approach a stranger, try a coworker or lost member of your family. If you are still unable to overcome your fright, then you do not love their soul enough to warn them of the eternal danger they face (Ezek. 3:16-21).

What if you are surrounded and alone in defending God? First of all, you are never alone. Jesus promised to be with us to the “end of the age.” On the other hand, if you begin to fix your faith (as discussed previously) and encounter the statement, “well we have always done it that way,” you may become the loneliest Christian in the congregation. You must now be prepared to defend your growing faith. One word of warning: make sure that you understand that it is the Word that does the cutting, not the Christian wielding the sword (Heb 4:12). The truth is pointed and direct enough to get the job done. Consider Peter in Acts 2, and Stephen in Acts 7. Both audiences were, “cut to the heart.” The time may come when no one around you is interested in the truth. That is their choice. You make sure that you fulfill your obligation as a child of God who brings lost souls to Him (2 Tim 4:1-5).

Ron Suiter
Snyder, OK