Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Truth or Dare (08/28/08)
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TITLE: Standing Up For The Truth | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
09/03/08 -
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Children should be made wise as to the true motivation that others may have for wanting to “play” this game and decline the invitation.
There is a truth or dare scenario in the spiritual realm in which the devil has experienced considerable success.
Spiritual babes, that being new or spiritually immature believers would also be wise to learn the objectives and motivation that the devil has in mind when he invites believers to play his game.
In the spiritual realm, the “truth” can be referring to the Gospel Message or any edifying point of Biblical Doctrine. The “dare” is the courage to take a public stand, via speech or action, without having any regard concerning the cost to self or how well it may or may not be received by others.
As one spiritually matures, taking a public stand for God will no longer be the dreaded challenge that once was the source of tension and anxiety, but rather an opportunity to glorify your Lord that you will eagerly anticipate and enjoy being involved.
The ultimate consequence for failing to overcome this spiritual hurdle in one’s walk with the Lord is not the loss of salvation. The concept that salvation, once obtained, can be lost (for any reason) amounts to the sin of blasphemy. It is an attack on the Person and Works of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The ultimate consequence that a born again individual receives for having denied our Lord by not taking a public stand in either word or action is that He will “…also deny him before My Father who is in heaven (Matt.10: 33 NASB).”
Here, the believer is being denied the honor and award of being acknowledged as a disciple. He/she is not being forsaken or rejected as a child of God. A believer does not and cannot lose his/her salvation (1).
One can never be any more or any less saved than he/she was the moment he/she first believed.
The denials of Peter often comes to mind when this subject is brought up, but the truth is we all deny Him from time to time. We have all kept silent when we had the opportunity to speak or to act in God’s behalf.
The Matthew 10:33 scenario applies to believers who never overcome this hurdle in their walk with God.
Like Peter, we must confess this sin (2) (1John 1:9), forsake it (3) in the future and move on (4).
When a believer is out of fellowship with God, he/she is under the influence of the fallen nature within (5).
This fallen nature is always centered on self and self interest and is in constant conflict with God the Holy Spirit for the control of the mind.
Scripture (6) teach that this nature is not merely indifferent, but is actually “hostile” towards God and the things of God. This explains the reason for some of the emotional reactions that are manifested when we hit certain nerves in people.
Satan encourages us to consider the rejection, isolation, and perhaps even the persecution that will (7) inevitably be the price that we will pay from time to time for taking an unpopular stand in the devil’s world.
Our response to the truth or dare in the spiritual realm will be determined by which “influence” we choose to listen to and/or apply.
Our words and behaviors reveal which power of influence is in control at any given time.
The Lord Jesus Christ was crucified publicly for us. Should we not dare to publicly take our stand for the truth?
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(1)1Cor.3:15 (2) 1John 1: 9 (3) John 8: 11 (4) Phil. 3:13 (5) Rom.7 (6) Rom.8:7 NASB (7) 2Tim.B 3:1
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