The Need for Courageous Christians

The last few years have been marked by cultural confusion. The world around us can seem like a puzzling place and Christians can find themselves struggling with how best to fit into that world. On top of that, as we enter into a new year we are often asking the question, what do I or we need to do this year to have an impact? Christians understand that every new year is an opportunity to influence the people around them for Christ. So specifically the question becomes, what do Christians need in the new year? The reality of this year is that we will need more Christians to stand up and be courageous. In this article we will look at why we need courageous Christians. Our next article will go into the specifics of how Christians can be courageous.

Why do We Need Courageous Christians?

As we sit in the early weeks of a new year, we know that there will be all kinds of challenges coming our way. However, one of those challenges is not new and that is opposition to the message of the Gospel and the teachings of the Scriptures. Jesus warned the disciples that they would experience open opposition to His way and teaching:

John 15:19-22

19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.

So you may be wondering, how does courage factor into this? Simply put, anytime you speak a message that you know people won’t receive there is a chance for timidity. There is a change that rather than speaking out we sit down, rather than proclaim the truth to people we will whisper it behind closed doors, and the greatest temptation of all: to go along to get along.

Where though do Christians need to be courageous in speaking in this cultural moment? While there are numerous areas where we could focus we will narrow it down to three and explain why they are so important.

Life

Many people will be tempted to think the work is over in the arena of life now that the Dobbs decision has been handed down, but that is simply not the case. All over the country the issue of abortion has reverted to a state level issue. To act as if our work may be done because we live in a state that has banned abortion is shortsighted. The next step for Christians is to another step into the fray. Pregnancy care centers need our hope now more than ever, as they are seeing growth in two main areas, services provided to those with unplanned pregnancies and active hostility to the organizations themselves. Christians can also step up in the arena of adoption and foster care. Courage means taking the next step and now that next step will be above and beyond mere vocal opposition to abortion. We must continue to work toward saving the lives of vulnerable babies and children.

Continuing to value life does not stop with the issue of abortion but carries beyond to the lives around us. Christians must stand up for all life regardless of age or stage of life. Christians must find themselves speaking out against euthanasia or assisted suicide. We must not allow someone to deem a life less worthy because of perceived capacity. Rather, Christians will articulate a vision of all people being valued and to stand against the tide of those who would devalue life.

Gender

As Christians continue to live in a gender confused society they will find themselves needing to show courage in speaking clearly on the issue of gender.

Genesis 1:26-27

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

The Bible is crystal clear that God created two gender, male and female, for a specific purpose, to complement each other. In holding up the dignity of life, we will extend that dignity to God-given gender. We understand that God has created men and women with a purpose and plan for their lives. Christians will be vocal that protecting the dignity of the gender of an individual is essential for thriving in life. At the same time, Christians will exhibit care for others as they minister to those who believe themselves to be a different gender than they were born. Dignity in regards to gender means clearly expressing the view of God and respecting the fact that if someone is confused about gender that doesn’t erase the dignity of being made in God’s image.

Marriage

Genesis 2:18-24

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” 19 Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Recent events such as the introduction of the so-called Respect for Marriage Act as legislation have driven marriage back into the public square for discussion. As Christians we cannot afford to remain silent or try to go along with the crowd in affirming a marriage that is unbiblical. God’s Word is clear, marriage is designed by God to bring together one man and one woman for life. In a society that promotes promiscuity, hook up culture, and lowers expectations for commitments in the realm of romantic relationships, Christians must stand strong for marriage. This protecting of marriage means that Christians will stand against cohabiting prior to marriage, sexual activity before marriage, and flippant no-fault divorces that are in violation of the Biblical reasons for divorce (abandonment, infidelity, and abuse).

This means that Christians will develop and speak to the need for healthy dating practices that are grounded in finding a person to marry rather than entertainment, pleasure, or comfort of relationship. They will articulate a vision for taking our marriage seriously and putting in the hard work to make a marriage work all the while knowing the broader culture would suggest they give up. All of this is motivated by the fact that we know that God honors and causes couples to flourish when they obey His principles for marriage.

Conclusion

Being courageous on these topics will not always be easy but they will always be right. As we think about a year filled will possibilities for living for the Lord we must once again be committed to the teachings of God’s Word. Perhaps it’s fitting to close by reminding us of what the Apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said about Christians being ambassadors:

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

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