Making a StandSample

Standing For and Standing Against

Christians have long been accused of standing against things. We are guilty as charged. Standing on God’s Word, we stand against the murder of unborn children and against any agenda that makes teenagers question their sexual identity. We stand against racism and injustice, against substance abuse, sex trafficking, and pornography. We stand against the mistreatment of anyone. We stand against the perversion of the Gospel. When you stand on God’s Word, you stand against the kingdom of darkness in all of its forms.

But make no mistake: we stand for more than we stand against. We stand for righteousness, justice, integrity, love, and life. We stand up for the power and person of the Holy Spirit. We stand up for Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the Son of the Living God. He is our Savior, our Redeemer. He is coming back again.

When you make your stand on the Word of God, all hell will be turned loose against you, but you can change the world. Just over 500 years ago, Martin Luther found himself embroiled in great controversy due to teaching and writing about grace alone, faith alone, and God’s Word alone. In April of 1521, he was called to an assembly at Worms, Germany. Before the emperor, several high church officials, and many others, Luther was pressured to recant. They put his books on the table and asked, “Do you believe what is here?” He gave an amazing discourse because he was really smart. He didn’t answer their question, but instead explained what he had been discovering in the Bible. He was very careful not to say too much. The next day, they brought him back and asked him again. He preached again. Exasperated, they shouted, “Do you recant what’s in these books, or not?” He answered, “My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. May God help me, amen.”

Luther was attacked from that moment on. He was called a heretic. Warrants were sent out for his arrest. He had to stand against the powers of hell and the demons of darkness, but he stood on God’s Word and God changed the world through him.