Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor 15:58)
I once had the opportunity to hear an evangelist in a manner I'd never seen or heard before. He brought with him his two little friends who seem to have no aversion to small, confined spaces and they helped him share two very powerful messages about the Word of God! He is a ventriloquist.
His message came from Daniel - the story of Nebuchadnezzar, his "god", his "law" and the three men (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) who refused to bow down and worship it. These three men had faith in THEIR God - their faith enabled them to stand up (literally and figuratively), stand firm and stand out!
What is it that we are doing when it comes to standing up? Are we acknowledging that we serve an all-powerful God? When confronted with that which is not from God, are we reminding those who confront us that we belong to him and their behavior is not acceptable in our company? And when we do "stand up", are we standing firm in our belief and not succumbing to peer pressure? Are we truly living examples of God's Word in us?
If we are willing to accept the gift of salvation, the gift of eternal life from our Creator, then shouldn't we be willing to stand up for what God tells us no matter what? In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he reminds them that they, too, must "stand firm" and give themselves completely to the work of the Lord. It may not be the "popular" thing to do and it may get us looks of disgust, mocked and ridiculed for our beliefs and our way of life but it will, none the less, be that which causes us to "stand out"!!!
Don't be afraid to be "unpopular" with your friends, relatives or assorted associates ~ there is one person who is more than willing to stand beside you! In those times when you are terrified of the response of those around you when you feel compelled to proclaim the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, know that if you stand up, he will stand beside you; if you stand firm, he will be your strength; and through that, he will lift you up and you will stand out!
