Fearless Faith in A Compromising Culture

This week at the Wellandport Church in Wainfleet, Ontario, Canada, I’m teaching the adult class in their annual VBS.

I love VBS. The unbridled excitement of the children. Their enthusiastic singing. Their eagerness to learn. And the passion of the teachers as they go the extra mile in their preparations to make VBS a memorable and mission driven experience.

The watchword of the week is “fearless. Our theme is “Fearless Deeds of the Defenders” from Apologetics Press. And our text is found in the writing of the physician Luke, especially the book of Acts.

Not only are we learning about the reliable evidences for Christ, Christianity, and “the faith once delivered to the saints” but challenged by the fearlessness of those first century Christians. Peter. Stephen. Aquila and Priscilla. And Paul.

Fearless describes their courage, confidence, and commitment. Most English translations speak of their “boldness” in the face of opposition. I like The Message which renders the disciples prayer this way. “Take care of their threats and give your servants fearless confidence in preaching your Message” (Ax. 4:29).

Following this prayer, Luke records the place was shaken and “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s Word with fearless confidence” (Ax. 4:31).

Fearlessness speaks to the issue of character. It means to be staunch, steadfast, and strong. It involves firmness, strength and resolve to stand for what is right, even when it goes against the crowd. Fearlessness from God’s perspective, involves spiritual commitment, moral convictions, combined with mental and emotional strength founded on faith.

Today, we live in a corrupt culture that calls for us to compromise our faith. To compromise our values. To compromise our Christian principles. The voices of opposition against God, Jesus, the Bible, and the morals we espouse are under attack. We live in what Time Magazine hailed on their cover a few years as a “post truth” culture when they asked the question, “Is Truth Dead?” Seemingly a take-off on the cover 50 years ago, “Is God Dead?”

People today speak of “my truth,” and “your truth,” as if Truth can be anything that anyone wants it to be. This attitude applies to marriage, morals, the Bible, God, and whatever bizarre belief you care to espouse. But beyond that, Christians are criticized and condemned if we don’t desire to accept and celebrate “the truth” of culture’s most outlandish ideas and behaviors.

Abortion. Homosexuality. Same-sex marriage. Transgenderism. Gender-fluidity. Throuples. Consensual non-monogamy. All of this and more is weakening the moral fiber of our society. In such a time as this, we are challenged to be strong, courageous, and “stand against the schemes of Satan” (Eph. 6:10-12. Henry VanDyke called courage, “the standing army of the soul which keeps it from conquest, pillage, and slavery.”

Fearless Christians stand firm on principles instead of popular, public opinion.

Fearless Christians do what is right for the right reasons, even when they’re tempted to do wrong.

Fearless Christians “walk by faith, and not by sight.”

Fearless Christians are fortified by faith, fed by God’s Word, and fostered by prayer.

Fearless Christians know who they are, what is right, and where they are going.

Fearless Christians are not afraid to stand alone, knowing God is on their side.

Our homes, churches, and communities need fearless Christians. Pastors, preachers and parents must be fearless to speak the Truth, follow their convictions and conduct themselves with honor and integrity in a world that has lost its way.

The Hebrew writer reminds us that God is ever present and always there for us to provide spiritual fortitude.

“Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote,

God is there, ready to help;
I’m fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?
(Heb. 13:5-6, Msg.)

Thus, we can echo the passionate proclamation of the apostle Paul, “I have great boldness and free and fearless confidence and cheerful courage…” (2 Cor. 7:4, AMP)

Fearless. That’s our need. Our challenge. And the Divine call “to be strong and very courageous” (Josh. 1:7)

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman