A couple of days ago, a supposed scandal hit a team in the Australian Football League. The team hired Andrew Thorburn as the club’s new CEO. However, just 24 hours later, they forced him to resign. What terrible crime did Mr. Thorburn commit to result in such a rapid firing? He dared to hold to a Christian worldview regarding the LGBTQ movement and serves on the board of his church which holds to Biblical Christianity.[1] Christians must stand confidently in the truth in a world that moves further from morality by the day.
In 1 John 4, the Apostle John instructs the believer to test every message to ensure it is from God. As we do this, we must stand confidently in the truth. Yet, we must also understand that while we stand confidently in the truth, the world will not listen to us. John Stott notes, “The world recognizes its own people and listens to their message, which originates in its own circle and reflects its own perspectives. This explains their popularity.”
Don’t be shocked when sinful people do sinful things and reject the morality and message of the Word of God. They have latched onto the message of the world that they can determine truth for themselves and that they must create their happiness. The statement that God defines truth and that there is absolute morality encroaches on this happiness and freedom. Therefore they must react with anger and malice against it and seek to defeat it. This is also why false teachers can grow massive churches while Bible-preaching churches will constantly battle. We refuse to scratch itching ears. We will speak the truth even when it is not popular.
But we can have confidence because God is greater than the world. Danny Akin notes, “[John] reminds them of the true source and secret of their victory. They are not necessarily more intelligent or more skilled than the false prophets, but they are possessed and indwelt by one who is, the Holy Spirit. As believers yield themselves to the one who lives within them, they experience continual victory in their daily battles with the forces of evil.”
We have the Holy Spirit, who is greater than the world. This means two things: First, we can overcome sin daily. We will overcome evil as we yield to the Spirit of God and Walk in the Spirit. Second, it means that we need not fear rejection by the world. As the world becomes increasingly hostile, we can become increasingly bolder. If they reject us, it does not matter because they are already rejecting us. Every day, we have the opportunity to magnify Christ and share the Gospel. If they persecute us, what is the worst they can do? Kill us? That means eternity with God. Let us live? That means more days to glorify God and proclaim the Gospel. So stand firm in the truth, Don’t shrink in shame or embarrassment.
[1] foxsports.com.au