We continue with the rephrased and (some of my thoughts added) “The Christian in Complete Armor” by William Gurnell.
Another battle Christians face daily is walking with our “eyes fixed on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith”, and “to be no longer conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Then we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, His good, pleasing, and perfect will”. We’re not called to go with the flow or sink to the lowest denominator of the people we live around, hang out with, and work with. We have to stand fixed to God’s principles. And this sticks out like a sore thumb in a world that is blown to and fro by every slight breeze of public opinion. Our holy consistency is to the truth.
But this presents its own risk of ostracization, hardships, or possible danger. As David was dancing with joy before the Lord, his wife, Michal, despised him in her heart and later mocked David, with words dripping in sarcasm and contempt. Or Abram, who seemed like he had lost his mind to abandon the certainty of receiving his father’s inheritance, to go journeying in search of an inheritance that was coming at an unknown time, from an unknown place, to be made “into a great nation”? People who take God at His word appear as fools to the world. This requires bravery to withstand humiliations directed our way because of our faith. And we shouldn’t be surprised by shame when it is thrown at us. Jesus cautions us that “in this world you will have trouble, but take heart, for I leave you My peace”.
However, the proud heart can’t stand shaming, even for Christ. Pride does anything that it can to avoid shame and rejection from people, such as not confessing Christ openly. And many lose heaven because they are ashamed to confess Christ. Jesus was very clear about this, explaining, “whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven”. This is a sobering warning. While some might experience something as light as mockery, others experience persecution unto death merely for following Christ. This is what happened to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And again, when Daniel was ensnared by his enemies and thrown in the lion’s den. The cowardly, unresolved heart not firmly rooted in the Lord and His promises is bent on all sorts of self-preservation, anesthetizing, and seeking after comfort. For a Christian who encounters such great opposition, we need to be well seated into the saddle of our faith, or we will soon be dismounted.
Thirdly, we must hold fast to the faith that God has given to us in the midst of false teachers and apostasies and falling away. Period. We need to have a holy resolution to bear up against such discouragements.It can be incredibly discouraging to continue walking in faith when others stumble. Especially when these were people you admired—those who seemed strong in their faith. Their mistakes can cause doubt and make you question whether to keep going. This isn’t new. There have been tragedies in every generation of weak Christians unable to make a stand, of the chokehold of legalism, of people who have miscarried justice, of those who have not stood up for what is right at the critical juncture. Joshua lived through such a tragedy. He saw nearly the entire camp of Israel revolt against the Lord and long for the meat pots of Egypt again. Yet he had an undaunted spirit. He resolved that for him and his household, he would serve the Lord. And it’s rough to feel like you are standing alone, though of course the Lord is always with you. In moments like these, it takes real courage to keep moving forward, refusing to let the failures of others shake your trust in God or your commitment to following Him.
Sometimes, being a Christian means trusting in God when it feels like He’s distant or silent. Isaiah 50:10 says, “Let the one who walks in darkness, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.” It takes real faith to approach God when you don’t feel His presence, like Esther entering the king’s court without knowing if she’d be welcomed or killed for her boldness. But she had prayed, saying “if I perish, I perish”. It’s even harder to trust God when you feel like He’s against you, like Job, who said, “though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”*
True faith is bold. It presses on even when our entire lives are on fire and everything is going wrong. Look at the Canaanite woman who boldly kept asking Jesus for help, turning even His challenges into reasons to trust Him more.
Christian calling doesn’t come with a retirement date in this life. Our mission isn’t finished when we turn 65, nor is it on hold when we are out of town on vacation. Staying faithful to the very end is what successful life with Christ looks like. It’s like a soldier who doesn’t just fight one or two battles but stays in the war until victory. Many people start out excited about their faith, but when difficulties arise—when the cost becomes clear—they give up. They’re like the new moon, bright at the start of the night but already set before the night is halfway through.
Perseverance is a hard word. Living as a Christian means daily commitment: picking up your cross, “rejoicing in hope, being patient in tribulation, constant in prayer”, staying vigilant, not laying aside your armor nor allowing your lamp to go out. It’s a lifelong journey without vacations. That’s why so many people leave the faith at the first sign of hardship—they want heaven, but not if it comes at a high cost. They’re like Orpah, who started the journey with Naomi but turned back when the road got tough. Or like young people who choose a career for its glamour, only to quit when they see how hard it really is. So where does the necessary resolve come from?
Fox Family Counseling 