This piece was birthed following a conversation I had with someone not quite long ago. With this conversation came a heavy burden. There was a struggle in my heart; voices in my head while trying to come to and accept the bible conclusion of the ‘whole matter’. Let us dive right in.
The Bible talks about the christian life being one of separation and consecration unto the Lord. That is, the christian is meant to walk not according to the guidelines of the world, society or the culture of his immediate environment. Rather, the christian, being spiritual ought to be guided by God’s Holy Spirit. Romans 12:2 reminds the christian to be transformed and never to blend in with the unsaved population around him. In other words, the christian is meant to stand out!

Standing out is never seen as a difficult task when it is for good recognition, for example, an award of excellence. No one ever has a problem with being singled out and noticed in such a situation. To the Christian, ‘standing out’ becomes hard when it means standing alone, or upholding his unpopular biblical opinion. When it requires him to say “ I’m sorry but I can’t do this. I am a christian and I live to please my God”

Someone (who happens to be a christian) told me earlier that if I truly and really wished to succeed at my job, I would have no choice but to import little lies here and there, just to make ends meet. I am certain I didn’t misunderstand him. Then we moved on to other matters, and again it was categorically stated that there is hardly any profession that will not require its own share of unrighteousness if you really wish to succeed. I was stunned to say the least, and not surprisingly, ‘we’ ended the conversation with the mantra ‘God will just help us’.
Well, not before I asked that if our society is so bad that it has made unfaithfulness and falsehood a norm, why do we call ourselves christians? Why do we get into such systems and say “it doesn’t matter, that’s how things are done here?” With this mindset, are we not implying that the bible that has said “be ye holy, for I am holy” is a lie? How can we say God will help us when we go about with the mindset that we are all sinners who will continue sinning, only that we have christian labels? We say ‘God understands’. Yes, He understands our lies here and there; our manipulating figures. But guess what, even the devil understands too, that you’ve just compromised your faith on the altar of “that’s how things are done here”
Beloved, what is the essence of the power of God’s Holy Spirit which should be at work in us to work out righteous living? Do we not insult the grace of God when we conclude that we can’t succeed by simply speaking the truth? Do we not have cases of those who took a stand for God, defied the odds and God came through for them?

The problem the way I have observed, is fear. ‘What happens next?’ we think. The christian youth fears that he would be viewed differently by his peers if he says “I’m sorry, I won’t be able to do this or that. I am a christain.” We fear that the price would be too costly to pay for the Father once it alters or attempts to alter our present state. If Jesus already paid the ultimate price ever for you and me, why is it that when it is my turn to do ‘same’ for Him, I hesitate? Of course, I can choose to take a stand because I love and seek to please Him, but ultimately I’ll also be doing it for my soul; my eternity.

Let’s close with Mathew 7:14 KJV, “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and a few there be that find it.”
Shalom.

I’ll love to hear your thoughts this time. How has your journey been?

Sinuola.