In recent weeks, we have witnessed a modern-day martyr. Charlie Kirk was a man who spoke the truth in love. He was not arrogant, self-serving, or mean-spirited. This is how we are to speak the truth in love. In Ephesians 4:15, Paul teaches us to stand firm, to speak the truth, but we are to do it in love. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”
The purpose of speaking the truth is to guide people to do what is right in God’s eyes. God set the standard for right and wrong for mankind at creation. He gave Adam and Eve freedom to enjoy all of creation, but gave them one command. Do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 2:16 “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”
One simple command, that was it, just one! Of course, we know they did not obey. They yielded to the voice of Satan. They had not taken God’s command seriously, or they would have resolved not to do it. They had the ability to resist. They were perfect before the fall. They were able to use all their brain mater; no sin meant no defect in their creation. Yet, they allowed themselves to be duped by the devil. They had no planned course of action to keep from disobeying God.
What could they have done to help themselves not yield to temptation? First, they could have stayed away from the tree in the middle of the garden. They had the entire earth to enjoy and explore; why remain close to an area that presented disobedience? Second, they could have stayed together. There is strength in numbers, especially when we are seeking to do what is right. We find in Ecclesiastes 3:9-10 that we need each other. It makes a task lighter and more effective. The Talmud, a Jewish commentary, says, “A man without companions is like the left hand without the right.” We need mutual support, especially when standing for the truth.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”
The best and most successful way to stand firm is to know the truth. The only way to know the truth is to know the author of truth, which is God. When we study God’s word, we need to meditate on it to allow it to sink into our hearts. It is not enough to read it; we must digest it as a cow does her food. A cow digests food using a four-compartment stomach and the process of rumination, which involves regurgitating and re-chewing food as “cud”. We need to read, think, process it, and rethink God’s word until it becomes part of who we are. When we know and believe the word this way, it is not hard to stand firm on it. It gives us a foundation that we know is unshakeable. It gives us a purpose with a higher calling than anything else.
If we are to stand firm on the word of God and make a difference in this world for Christ, we must prepare ourselves now. If you wait until you need to stand, you risk not being prepared and will fail. If you are not equipped with the armor of God, you will reason that “God will understand, after all, I have children to raise, and people who depend on me. I can’t take a chance of losing my life now.” A quote that I heard years ago has stuck with me. Alexander Hamilton said, “Those who stand for nothing will fall for anything.” I believe this is true. Charlie Kirk determined years earlier than his death that he would stand on the word of God and live in such a way to prove where and what he stood for. He knew many hated him for using God’s word as the basis for his mission. He knew he was in danger of losing his life for his faith. I believe when the bullet went through his throat, he met Jesus face to face. No doubt in my mind he heard his Savior say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
What about you? Do you love God enough that others hate you for your faith? Do you know the word well enough to prove the morals of this world are wrong? Do you know Jesus well enough to love the sinner, yet hate their sin? Do you show love for those who hate God and the things of God? If we are to make a difference for Christ, we must train ourselves to stand firm and get busy making a difference.
