Walking Tall

"Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God...". 2 Timothy 1:8

     “Walk softly and carry a big stick.”  Does anyone remember that from the old “Walking Tall” movies?  Prepare yourself, for whatever life throws at you and STAND UP for what you believe in.  That’s the key to it all.  It’s the refusal to conform to what those around you set their beliefs in. 

     Jesus had stated to His Father, as recorded in John 17, “for I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.” (vs. 14) He continues to ask God “not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (vs. 15) In a way, you can read that as: not letting them become OF the world.  Jesus doesn’t want us to be removed from this world of sin and corruption.  He expects us to be wary of the world.  To be prepared to stand against the corruption.  To take the sword of the spirit (Eph. 6:17) and fight. 

     We are not doing family or friends any favors by shrinking to their lack of commitment.  Remember, you and your actions, alone, will be on trial, on the day of your judgement.  Your family won’t help you.  Your friends won’t help you.  It’s going to come down to how you chose to serve God, during your life.  He is greater than all of the friends and family that you can have around you.  He and His Son are the only entrances into Heaven.  Would you choose to gamble that, for the sake of what those around you make think of you, for being a faithful servant of God?

     If you love them, care for them, and respect them, then you need to be the one setting the example for them.  YOU need to show THEM the better way of life.  What happens in their life on Earth, is temporary.  This life is just the test!  When we meet our end of this mortal life, that is the day that God “grades the test.”  What “grade” do you want to achieve, at that time?

     Don’t forget, you won’t get to retest.