Do you want to eat? Do you want your children to eat? What if you had to make a choice: feed your children or starve? Do we truly trust God to survive? Would our fear of losing everything—our security, approval, or even life itself—cause us to turn away from Him? This is not just a hypothetical question. Throughout history, Christians have faced situations where survival and the approval of society clashed with their faith in God. The Bible reminds us that choosing God's approval over the praise of men is not easy, but it is necessary.
Choosing God's Approval Over the Praise of Men
In John 12:42-43 we read:
"Nevertheless, even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."
Why Do We Crave the Praise of Men?
The praises of men—isn't that what most of us like to hear. We want to be rewarded for our efforts, commended for the good job we do. We want to be successful, we want to be good at what we do. There is certainly nothing inherently wrong with wanting to be good at our job or any other pursuits we have, but if that makes us afraid to speak up for God then it is wrong.
The Struggle to Stand for Christ
When we are young, especially, the criticism of others cuts deep. We want so much to be like others. We don't want to stand out or be in any way something so different that people would remark about it. And yet, that is what God calls us to. As history teaches us, failing to stand for Christ can lead to devastating consequences
Lessons from History: When the Church Fails
What if your own government became involved in something sinister? What if it declared a group of people, people who were traditionally discriminated against, without rights? This happened before and during WW2 in Germany. The Protestant and Catholic churches stood by and, for the most part, did very little to protest the involvement of the government in state sanctioned persecution and slaughter of the Jews.
There were, however, individuals who protested the oppression and murder of the Jews—Oskar Schindler, Johan Van Hulst, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, to name a few. The failures of institutions do not diminish the truth that the gospel has the power to transform us.
Sometimes we think we are so different from those European Christians almost a hundred years ago, but are we? Would the fear of government reprisals, the loss of jobs, or the loss of influence, keep us from standing up for what is right? Especially if the people involved were deemed of little value in society, or if they had been blamed for all of our nation's woes—turned into scapegoats for the evils in society.
People who did stand up were sent to concentration camps or were killed outright. They were accused of treason. They gave up the approval of others to obtain the praises of God. They went to their deaths for what was right and just. They gave up their lives instead of glorying in worldly favor.
Between April and July of 1994 in Rwanda, in Africa, almost one million people were killed in a war of genocide. Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. This country was heavily Christian. Almost 90 percent were affiliated with the Protestant church, the 7th Day Adventist or the Catholic church and yet they failed in almost every way to prevent or subdue the killings. This indictment was not just against the clergy, but against the common church goer as well.
"Ultimately, the Church ... represented the only institution within civil society in possession of enough autonomy and influence to attempt to deviate the course of the events, oppose the regime and, at the same time, create awareness and put pressure on the international community. Its reluctance and often outright refusal to do so has come to represent one of heaviest failures of Christian ethics and of the institutions that profess and practice its commandments." from Accepting the Unacceptable: Christian Churches and the 1994 Rwandan Genocide by Rita Deliperi. This is what it means when we fail to stand for Christ.
What a sad state of the Church. Was the act of being a Christian just something people did to feel good about themselves? Why didn't more Christians stand up and speak out against what was happening? When being a Christian requires sacrifice are we willing to make it?
Overcoming Fear
It can be a fearful thing to go against a powerful government or the norms of society. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us that God never leaves us alone. "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." We can overcome our fear because it is God who strengthens us.
When Christians Choose to Stand: Japan's Martyrs
In Japan in the 1600s, we can see what happens when people choose God over the approval of society. Here, thousands of Christians were martyred for their faith, many by crucifixion (2 Timothy 3:12). Seen as a threat to the regime and traditional beliefs, Christianity was outlawed in 1640, forcing remaining believers underground. Many of these Christians died choosing God's approval over the praise of men. They serve as role models. Luke 14:27 tells us, "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple."
Everyday Faithfulness: Small Acts of Courage
But maybe we aren't called to such extreme sacrifice. Perhaps we are called simply to confess we are Christians in the break room at work (Matthew 10:32-33). Possibly we are called to stand up for the colleague who is mistreated and unpopular. Maybe we are called to remove ourselves from the temptation to have an affair with a colleague.
Imagine you’re in the break room at work, and a group of coworkers begins gossiping about another fellow worker. The conversation turns mean-spirited, with people laughing at the other person's expense. You feel pressured to join in because you want to fit in and avoid becoming the next target of their criticism.
Standing for Christ in this moment means choosing to act differently. Instead of joining the gossip, you could say something like, "I think we should be careful because we don’t know what they might be going through." This might make others uncomfortable, and they may accuse you of being "self-righteous" or "no fun." However, by taking a stand, you demonstrate kindness, compassion, and a commitment to Christ's teachings on loving others and avoiding gossip and idle words.
The Cost of Standing for Christ Today
Later, you might take it further by reaching out to the coworker being gossiped about, offering encouragement, and showing them the love of Christ in action. While these challenges may seem small compared to historical examples of persecution, the heart of the matter remains the same: will we stand for Christ—no matter the cost (Luke 14:28-33)? What small steps can you take today to stand for Christ?
When we take a stand for Christ, even in small acts of courage, it can reveal the contrast between godly values and worldly behavior. This often challenges others, making them uncomfortable and highlighting their own choices. When men praise us they tell us how great we are. They often tell us that we don't need to work on being Christlike. They scoff at that. They simply want us to go along sometimes, because if we don't they accuse us of judging them. When we stand for what is right, even when it is done in humility, some people will feel judged. We shine a light on their bad behavior by not participating in it and they don't like that.
The Power of Faith in the Face of Government and Society
People in positions of power, be it in church leadership or politically, may lose influence by standing for moral values and Biblical principles. They may be viewed as old fashioned, out of touch, bigots or worse. Are we willing to accept that as God's will?
Practical Steps to Stand for Christ
When we are young, we may be called to explain why God means something to us. Maybe we have to explain why we don't watch certain movies, why we want to remain a virgin till marriage, why we don't use profanity, or why we don't dress provocatively. While it may feel isolating to stand for your values, remember that God honors those who are faithful to Him (1 Samuel 2:30). God will not leave you alone; He is with you.
Do we have answers to these questions? Have we studied God's word and tried to understand our faith so that we have answers? Have we prayed?
The Ultimate Sacrifice: Following Christ to the Cross
Let us pray that such harsh choices as Nazi Germany during WW2, Rwanda in 1994 or Japan in the 1600's never happen to us, but if they do, let us make sure that our confession, our belief in Christ is not just out of convenience or happenstance, but that it is real and that when Jesus says to take up our cross, which implies self sacrifice, we realize that there may come a time when in an all-too-real way that is exactly what we may have to do. We must trust that the Holy Spirit, given to us by God, has not instilled in us a spirit of fear, but one of power and love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). For this we thank God.
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