bits from bob....
Words, Words, Words
by Robert J. Young
©, 2001, Robert J. Young
[permission is given to reprint with credit noted]
Words, words, words! Aren't words easy? We throw them around carelessly, even thoughtlessly. "Talk is cheap!" This means that merely talking about renewal, involvement, and discipleship may be just that--just talk.
We must go beyond talk; we must take a stand. When a 760 year old wing of York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in Britain, was gutted by a devastating fire, all England was saddened. Sadder, however, was the fact that just a few days before the fire Reverend David Jenkins consecrated as Bishop of Durham, had publicly stated that he "did not believe in the virgin birth of Christ or that He actually rose from the dead." Some suggested the fire was God's judgment. There are always times in history when God's people must take a stand, when the time for talk is past.
A word--affirmation. To affirm--to assert positively. Renewal, involvement, and genuine discipleship begin in our affirmations. What do you affirm? Is your affirmation only talk? "What you are doing speaks so loudly I can't hear what you are saying!"
1. It is time for us to affirm our faith. As a Christian I want others to know I believe the Bible, accept its authority as inspired of God, and respect its message concerning Jesus Christ and the uniqueness of God's church as the body of Christ. I want to serve under Jesus Christ as Lord of this world and my life.
2. It is time for us to reaffirm our lives. Faith doesn't just stand there, it does something! It is time to assert confidently our willingness to follow him and live for him--to reflect him and imitate him.
3. It is time to affirm our commitments. I am committed to Jesus as Lord, I am committed to my wife. I am committed to my family, I am committed to Christ's church. I am committed to telling the message around the world. I want others to know my commitments. My commitments are constantly growing, and I am never ashamed to let others know of my commitments. It helps me when I affirm my commitments.
4. It is time to affirm our intentions. It is time to sign on the dotted line. Faith must do more than talk; faith must act. Intentions are insufficient. It is time to take a stand; for I am not ashamed of what and who I am building my life on. I will take a stand by telling all where I stand.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus. The question is not whether we will rise off the pews but whether we will go out from the pews affirming our loyalty to Jesus everywhere we go, with genuine faith, effective Christian lives, and meaningful affirmations apparent to all. Will you take a stand? It is time!
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Last updated November 23, 2001.