CONVENIENCE OR CONVICTION

Years of struggle had finally ended for George. He completed all of his requirements to become a high school teacher. After sending out many resumes one principal finally invited him for an interview. He looked forward to it with great excitement.

Sitting across from the principal he was asked, “In your biology classes, would you teach biology or evolution?”

Anxious to get the job he replied, “I would teach it any way you wanted me to teach it. It really does not matter to me.”

In many of his letters Paul addressed the importance of being Christians of conviction. Writing to the church at Corinth he boldly declared: “Be on guard! Stand fast for what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done with love!”

No apology here. Those words are as important when he wrote them as they are today. The spiritual danger to compromise our faith greets us everywhere we turn. The temptation to compromise our witness when we are called upon to speak boldly for Christ is difficult when the fear of rejection overwhelms us. And we often act unlovingly toward others when acts of kindness and thoughtfulness could be essential to bring and to win them to Christ.

Prayer:  Lord, we pray that we will become strong in our faith through You. May we rely on Your strength and power to overcome the temptation to compromise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13