Articles
What Are You Willing to Defend?
It is easy to say what we believe in. Talk is cheap, as they say. But a deeper consideration of what really matters to us is the question, “What are you willing to defend, even if you have to suffer for it?” What is so important to us that we are actually willing to speak up for it when it is being maligned, denied or otherwise threatened?
Martin Luther offers this thought-provoking observation: “If I profess with the loudest voice and the clearest exposition every position of the truth of God, except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ” (via Eric Metaxas, Liberty University speech, 10/30/20, emphasis jmj).
Sometimes, perhaps imperceptibly, we shy away from hot button issues, controversial subjects that will create friction if we don’t trudge lockstep with the accept norm. This is a huge tendency today in our polarized society. We have witnessed over the past few years an increase of vitriol, intimidation and castigation of those who don’t mouth the approved mantra. As a result corporations, politicians, celebrities and other influential people have caved in to the pressure and advocated certain principles that may end up destroying them in the end.
It is one thing to dodge socio-political issues of the day with silence or insincere adoption of the cause; it is another thing altogether to back away from Scriptural truth and our dedication to Christ. And that is a legitimate fear because we have basically become a soft, entitled, comfortable people who have had to pay no price for our allegiance to the Lord. And now that the atmosphere is more hostile toward faith in Christ, are you willing to defend Him?
Generally, we are willing to defend things we are passionate about: sports teams, homeopathic remedies, hobbies, politics, etc. So, that leads to the question: “How passionate are we about the Lord?” Or, “How passionate are we about the Centreville church?” Or, “How passionate are we about Biblical truth?” Passionate enough to actively defend them?
A brother recently wrote: “A number of years ago I baptized a woman who had been in evangelical churches most of her life. She was a terrific student of the scriptures and passionate about her pursuit of God. However, after attending worship and classes for a number of months, she was discouraged with what she was seeing in many Christians. Her words to me were basically this: ‘I readily admit that evangelical churches have missed many of the details about how we are to serve and worship God and especially about baptism. But in my limited experience in churches of Christ, I find that though the culture is careful obedience, passion for God and who he is, is lacking.’ I agreed that her perception was true of many, but it wasn’t true of all churches or all Christians” (Berry Kercheville, Focus Online, 11/2/20).
Now, if this new convert’s definition of “passion” was based on some kind of emotional talk about God, her observation might be unfounded. We can be passionate for God without the smarmy evangelical lingo which often substitutes for true conviction and dedication.
Those passionate about God will be willing to speak up when His truth is being attacked, even if it costs something: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed …” (1 Pet 3:15-16).
It is increasingly common to hear Christian faith disparaged in public discourse. Are you prepared intellectually and emotionally to step up in such a situation and say, “I challenge your assertion. I am willing to defend the person of Christ and the tenets of Christianity” (or some such apologetic statement).
It is easy, however, to rationalize away such moments, to always duck the opportunity as “not the right time” to take a stand. Maybe it is at work; maybe in a university class; maybe at a family gathering; maybe any occasion awkward or uncomfortable. So we back into the shadows of silence because, truth be known, we just aren’t that courageous about the Lord. The price of speaking up is too high.
If you are passionate about Centreville as a body of God’s people, you will be willing to defend it with your presence, your efforts, your words, your finances. Every opportunity to assemble will not be constantly assessed with questions like: “Do I feel like going?” Or, “Will I get anything out of it?” Or, “Is there somewhere else I’d rather be?”
The same lack of passion that fails to generate spirited commitment and defense of good also provides a rich incubator for evil. This principle is clearly observable in America’s higher education. How is it possible that our universities have been completely overtaken by leftist/Marxist ideologues and advocates of “diversity” policies? Good but selfish and weak people have stood idly by drinking the Kool Aid and not defending what was once the most premier educational system in the world.
Further, we praise what we defend. Or, conversely, we defend what is praiseworthy. If something is not meaningful to us, we are unmoved when it is impugned. Berry Kercheville on Psalm 63: “Why is praise such a prominent part of the Psalms? It is because all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise. We praise what we love. We praise that which fills us. John Piper says it this way: ‘God is not worshiped where he is not treasured and enjoyed … Not to enjoy God is to dishonor him. To say to him that something else satisfies you more is the opposite of worship. It is sacrilege.’ Indeed, to go further, to assemble and ‘sing songs of praise’ when we have never been filled with fat and rich food is like praising a restaurant we have never visited or a person we have never known” (ibid). If we love God and His word, we will praise Him and defend His truth no matter the cost. If we cower, our faith is not as strong as we fancy it to be.
Whatever the outcome of our recent election, we can count on one thing: there are malevolent forces working to destroy the moral fabric of our society. Do you see the danger? Are you ready for further encroachment on your faith and your freedom to practice it? Are you willing to defend righteousness for the sake of our children and grandchildren?
