I have often thought and, to some degree, concluded that Jesus was killed because He dared to stand up and speak truth to power. Their beliefs introduced him and many of His followers. They witnessed the ruling religious law of the day, although large and in charge, was corrupt and deserving of renunciation. I have a poster in my office stating, “One man with courage makes a majority.” Until now, I had never associated this powerful statement of fact with the life and death and life of Jesus Christ. But the courage of faith and the commitment to action based on that faith sometimes put you in a position of being alone. Have you ever found yourself so committed to a course of action entrenched in your thinking or steadfast in your belief that nothing could change your behavior or thinking? We should all be so fortunate at least once to know that we know.
Can you imagine that Christ was so sure, confident, and right that even unto death, He knew that He knew? I guess the question then must be asked: what do you know? What do your faith and courage allow you to be the majority of while numerically, you are in the minority? My point is pretty simple. At some point in your faith walk, you must walk absolutely alone. At some point, it will become necessary for you and me to take a position about friends and family that will alienate us just as Jesus’ stand alienated Him from the hierarchy of the church. We, too, will be called upon to take a position based solely on faith. Maybe it’s already happened to you, and I know it has happened to me. On that day you consciously decided to choose theLord instead of the world. You know that, you know.
People recognized in this world as having principles and integrity are honored for their stances on issues, even when they go against popular opinion. The Bible teaches us that men and women of God who exemplify these same qualities are often victimized, ridiculed, and even killed. The Bible also lets us know that these are the exact people we should emulate. By their faith, these people are the examples of a life set apart.’ We’ve all heard the saying, and some have even said, ‘Stepping out on faith.’ Reality suggests this is a scary place to be. The beauty of this spiritual reality is God can’t show up until you step out. Our struggle with faith is the true recognition of its power. Without the absolute conviction of the inherent power of faith, we never get a chance to experience the Hand of God at work in our own lives.
It is the biggest fear we can have with the most devastating consequences: to believe that you know that you know versus knowing that you know. I concede that the test is put on each of us daily. Do you believe or don’t you? If you do, prove it. Put some substance to the phrase.‘faith-based initiatives.’ Put some action and effort into the intent of the commitment. The truth is, we so easily sound like it’s a foregone conclusion when, in actuality, we shy away from the courage to stand alone and stand for God against the world. My understanding is that the first step is the hardest. But after that, the will of God takes over and takes us into a place we could never have imagined. From me to you, I wish you the imagination of the saints and the faith of a mustard seed.
May God bless and keep you always