Recently it has often been said that as Christians, we should be more known for what we stand for, than what we stand against. Of course at some level, this is quite true. As followers of Christ we often scream in unrighteous anger about the things we can not bear to see going on in culture, politics, education and even the church.
While we should definitely be more clear in the reasons why we take positions against particular issues, when thought out, they actually stem from the very things we take positions for! Though some of the verses that I mention below relate to spiritual conditions and disciplines, they should without a doubt transform how we see, treat, minister to and pray for the world around us.
What We Stand For
When we say that we love, worship and serve Jesus, there are a number of things that the world around us should see that we undoubtedly stand for. Flowing from our positive positions in each area, there is a list of issues that we, by necessity, oppose.
We Stand For Life
Therefore we stand against things that harm it; such as homelessness (Isa 58:7), abortion, rape, murder, homosexuality and pedophilia (Gal 5:19-21). As a result we defend the rights of the unborn and unloved while encouraging lifestyles that reflect the way God made us to be. (Jhn 10:10; 15:13)
We Stand For Freedom
Therefore we stand against oppression, slavery and human trafficking (Isa 58:6). As a result we work towards setting captives free and protecting the helpless because it reflects the work of Christ on the cross, when he set us free from our lives of sin (Gal 5:1). (Gal 5:13; 1Pet 2:16)
We Stand For Family
Therefore we stand against broken homes (1 Cor 7:10-11), deadbeat dads (Pro 22:6; Eph 6:4), negligent mothers and rebellious children (Exo 20:12). As a result we counsel families in need and seek to reconcile marriages in order to restore families to their God honoring status. (Gen 2:24)
We Stand For Reason
Therefore we stand against the one-sidedness of contemporary science and the thought that belief in God is simply intellectual laziness. As a result we encourage fair and reasoned discussion of our beliefs with those inside and outside the faith, so that we can advance respect and understanding on all sides as we seek to draw each to Christ (1Pet 3:15). (Isa 1:18; Acts 17:17)
We Stand For Justice
Therefore we stand against criminals, tyrants and terrorists while seeking to bring them to justice. As a result our intent is to rescue those who have no hero to save them, so that by doing so we can show the world what Christ did for us when he came down to us as a man named Jesus. (Amo 5:24; Mic 6:8)
We Stand For The Bible
Therefore we stand against the false teachings of books like the Koran, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine & Covenant, Upanishads, The Watchtower and any others that preach a message contrary to the Bible (Gal 1:8). As a result we share the message that the Bible instructs us to spread in love and respect of the people we encounter (1Pet 3:15), doing our best to meet them where they are (1Cor 9:22). (2Tim 3:16)
We Stand For God
Therefore we stand against the doctrines of Atheism, godless evolution and magic that tells us that from nothing the universe came into existence. As a result we tell others about the holy God who made us in his image (Gen 1:26) and from whom we have fallen far away from (Rom 3:23), but who wants for nothing more than his creation to return to him (1Tim 2:2-4). (Gen 1:1)
We Stand For Jesus
Therefore we stand against Satan (Jas 4:7), sin (Rom 6:12), demons (1Cor 10:20-21) and death (Rom 6:23). As a result we share the words that Jesus spoke, the things that Jesus did and the sacrifice that Jesus made. He did all these for us because he loves us (Eph 5:2). (Jhn 1:1)
We Stand For The Resurrection
Therefore we stand against false religions like Islam, Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientology and Paganism (Gal 1:8) that teach that Jesus was less than who he said and showed himself to be. As a result we preach the truth of Jesus’ deity (Jhn 1:1, 14) and that salvation comes through no other means, than faith alone in Christ alone (Eph 2:8). (1Cor 15:3-5)
We Stand For The Gospel
Therefore we stand against works righteousness, earned salvation (Eph 2:8-9), universalism (Jhn 14:6), pantheism (Gen 1:1; Isa 44:6) and panentheism (Isa 64:8). As a result we instruct others that we can not earn our place in God’s presence, but that we rightly deserve the hell that he has set aside for Satan and his demons (Matt 25:41); but there is hope and assurance in Jesus, who came to do what we never could. (1Tim 1:8)
What Do You Stand For?
Because the Christian stands for so much, we are never without work. While culture, religion, the church, media, society, entertainment, government and education press issues down on us from every side, not a single one of us has the need to say, “I have nothing to do.”
Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against a much more powerful enemy (Satan – Eph 6:12), who himself has a much more powerful enemy (Jesus – Heb 2:14), who himself is our friend, ally and savior. We stand for all these things because he first stood for us, even back when we were on the same side as his enemy. Choose today, not only what you will stand for, but also who you will stand for; yourself or the one who rescued you?
