Stand Up For Truth! - Ben Bailey

In a world that want to accept everyone and everything regardless of moral consequences, it is easy for Christians to be tempted to bow at the altar of compromise.  Instead of standing up for the Lord and His Word, too often we give in to  “go along to get along” mentality.  All of us must admit that times of conflict and confrontation are not at always enjoyable.  Yet, when we compromise the truth or remain silent on biblical issues, are we doing anyone a favor?  Let’s look at a few biblical examples where it would have been easier to compromise and determine who that would have ultimately helped.

   It  would have been a lot easier if Noah had told the people of his day that everything and everyone was pleasing with God instead of preaching a message of repentance and destruction (Gen. 6).  Yet, if Noah would have compromised the truth or simply remained silent who would that have helped when the flood came?  No one.  Noah himself would have been lost for not preaching the word as God commanded.  It would have been much more in line with popular view for Caleb and Joshua to give in to the “grasshopper-complex” rather than to put their trust in God.  However, these men spoke an unpopular truth because they were trying to please God not men.  John the Baptist could have very easily saved his head by compromising his views on marriage, divorce and remarriage to evil King Herod.  Yet, John boldly stated, “It is not lawful for you to have your brothers’ wife” (Mark 6:18).  Was John trying to hurt Herod’s feelings or did he have Herod’s best interest at heart?  John was more concerned about Herod’s soul than making him happy for the moment.  I wonder if God was pleased with what John said, or should he simply have “kept his nose in his own business”?  I know God was pleased with John when our Lord said, “Among those born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist” (Matt.11:11).  Our Lord would have lived a lot longer and been a lot more popular if he had accepted the hypocritical Pharisees as they were, overlooked the sin of the Scribes and tax collectors, and viewed life with the “I’m okay, you’re okay” philosophy.  Had Jesus done these things, would He be our Savior and would He have been pleasing to God?  No!  Jesus was the great Teacher and King of Israel because of His willingness to put God’s will before human feeling and emotion.  From these great men of the Bible we learn that bowing at the altar of compromise will not do anyone, including ourselves, a favor now or in eternity. 

Today, Christians must follow the same example of these great men of the Bible and stand up for the truth.  We will not do anyone a favor by compromising God’s word.  In fact, won’t it be a sad day when we stand at the Judgment bar of God and have to give an account for not teaching and standing up for the truth (Ezek. 3).  Stop and think about it friend.  If you tell someone the truth of God’s word and they don’t obey it, who is to blame and who will give an account for their soul?  The Bible teaches they alone will (Read Ezek. 33:2-5).  If they hear the truth and decide not to obey it, they will have to give an account for that not you.  You did what you could by speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:15).  However, if we compromise God’s truth or we suddenly become the Lord’s silent partner on biblical issues, who will give an account for those who are lost by our lack of courage?  The Bible teaches both parties will give an account on the day of Judgment (Read Ezek. 33:6).  Dear friend, the Bible pleads with you to stand up for the truth of God’s word and be a person of courage!   May we be encouraged by the words of the Lord to Joshua: “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:7-8).