Living for God in a godless world requires more than just a simple willingness to stand up for God. It requires more than understanding that we are salt and light. There’s more to it than simply deciding to live out Jesus’s teachings even when those teachings are unpopular.
Because once you move from decision and conviction to action, you will immediately face opposition.
Imagine being a pedestrian at a busy intersection with a police officer directing traffic. He hasn’t permitted you to cross the street, so you’re just standing there, probably looking at your phone, trying to pass the time. If you make the decision to cross the street without permission, nothing will happen. But once you start walking, you’re going to face some serious opposition with some very real consequences.
Living for God, not just talking about it or thinking about it or praying about it, but actually doing it, will automatically make you stand out among the crowd, and standing out is going to create opposition. There will be consequences. But this is exactly what Peter calls us to do. He wrote these words to people who were experiencing persecution for their faith:
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. (1 Peter 1:14-15)
God calls us to be more than difference-makers. He calls us to be different, to be holy. And when you’re holy, people notice. Here’s what another of the apostles says:
Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. (1 John 3:13)
When you begin to live for God, you will immediately face opposition. Probably more so in the United States today than at any time in our history, people will hate you. What does this mean for you? Will you suddenly become unpopular? Will you lose friends? Are you going to miss out on promotions at work that could help your family? Might you even be fired? Do you face the possibility of not getting into the college of your dreams because of stands you’ve made?
Standing for God and against culture will require a strength that you don’t possess. Fortunately, God never calls us to serve him in our strength.
Have you ever turned on your toaster or your coffee pot and then gone back 30 minutes later wondering where your toast or coffee is, only to discover that they weren’t plugged in? I’m not saying I’ve done that, of course, this is purely hypothetical. Or have your children ever received a Christmas or birthday gift they were so excited about, and as soon as they opened it you noticed on the box those dreaded words “Batteries Not Included”?
No matter what the product is, if it requires power, it always works a little better when it’s connected to the source of the power.
Living for God in a godless world requires a power that is beyond us. The good news is, you have access to an incredible power-giver.
You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God! (Psalm 68:35 NIV)
If you want to represent Jesus to the world, despite opposition, then you’re going to need God’s power. How do you stay connected to that power? I believe there are three habits we need in our lives that will help us stay connected to our Father as we seek to serve him in a world that works against him.
The first habit is the regular reading and study of God’s Word. The Bible isn’t just some book of ancient writings, it’s the Word of God! The Bible is God’s revelation of himself to us. He has spoken and said, “This is who I am.” God’s Word is alive, and through it, God speaks to us not only scriptural truth, but he speaks to our hearts and pours himself into our hearts — if we will listen.
Read the Bible every day. A chapter at a time, a paragraph at a time, whatever is best for you. Listen to godly people preaching and teaching the Bible. Get the YouVersion app for your phone or tablet, and you’ll be able to sign up for any number of Bible reading plans, in whatever translations you choose. Get a good study Bible, like the NIV Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, or the Life Application Study Bible. I have all three and love each of them for different reasons.
Get alone with God every day and read the Bible. Before you start each time, bow before God and ask him to speak to you anything he wants to say and to allow you to hear what he’s saying. Ask him to speak supernaturally to you through his living Word, asking something like Psalm 119:18, “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” Then surrender to him before you even read the first word.
And after you read, ask this question: “Now that I’ve read this, what will be different today?”
I know some of you are already making excuses. “I don’t have time.” Make time. You don’t like to read. Get past that. Maybe you need to start by asking God to give you the desire to read the Bible; to give you a love for his Word. The Bible needs to live in your heart, so make Bible reading a priority. Make sure you spend time every day reading or listening to and truly hearing God’s Word.
Thank you for this wonderful message. I love the the you version app.