to Stand for the Truth

By Pastor William R. Cunningham
For Sunday October 1, 2006

Introduction

I recall several years ago watching a movie called, Bulworth.  It was about a disillusioned senator (Bulworth) who puts a contract on himself and then begins to tell the truth regardless of who he offends.  He wasn’t swayed by the pressures of his peers or the powers to be (his contributors).  He wasn’t moved by the people around him, but instead had a carefree attitude since he figured he was going to die anyway.

What really touched me about this movie was the fact that Senator Bulworth was a politician that actually told the truth regardless of the pressures on him to hide it.  Would we tell the truth no matter what?  Would we stand up for the truth when we have an opportunity to do so?  Sometimes the pressures around us are so great that we would rather compromise what we know to be true for something that is more palatable by the masses.

Pastors would rather use the church playbook instead of just doing what is right and what is true.  There are so many teachings and schemes today because people are too busy trying to build their kingdoms, make a name for themselves, or even become financially well off all in the name of Jesus Christ when in fact the preaching of the Gospel is hardly the motivation.

I have been in churches where I knew that what I believed was contrary to what the pastors believe and in the early days I would avoid discussing teaching those things except when approached personally.  I have caused many pastors and ministers to target me as a rebel or a threat to their kingdom, which I probably was.  I can’t say that everything that I believe is absolutely true, but the fact is that I stood up for what I believed to be true.  If anyone disagrees with me then all he or she needs to do is discuss it with me.  However, the typical response of church leaders that disagreed with me was to ostracize me or to target me for persecution.

I have been accused of having Satan work through me.  I have been accused of trying to divide a church, stealing members, and preaching another gospel.  What was interesting to me is that none of the accusing pastors actually sat down to talk with me about their concerns.  Not one pulled me aside to discuss my theology and their obvious disagreement.  Also interestingly enough most if not all of these disagreements had to do with things directly pertaining to financial gain such as tithing, church membership and dedication, and the like.  My beliefs about speaking in tongues for example never aroused such adamant opposition as those that would affect finances.

However, in all that I still was motivated to tell the truth at least what I knew to be true.  Even in other areas of my life I find the same thing happening.  People would rather play political games instead of just telling and acting according to truth.  Another interesting thing here is that you could probably trace all of the lies that occur in our society in high places back to the dollar (many dollars actually). 

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NKJV) -- {6} Now godliness with contentment is great gain. {7} For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. {8} And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. {9} But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. {10} For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

In order to stand for anything you must have confidence in something as that would be the basis of your stance.  There are two things, truly one that we need in order to stand for the truth.

1. Confidence in God
2. Knowledge of His Word

First and foremost we have to have confidence in God for our very lives if we are to stand for His truth and not be swayed by the pressures around us to compromise and give in to the status quo.  Let’s discuss confidence in God so that we would stand for the truth.

Scripture Lesson

Romans 8:31 (NKJV) -- {31} What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

If God is for you then who can be against you?  If God is on your side then what difference does it make who your opponent is?  Nothing else matters if God is for us because God is omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing), omnipresent (sees all) and He loves you.

However, is this our true disposition about God and life?  Are we concerned about what others think or say or may do in relation to our stance on a particular issue?  When it is time to stand for the truth and we have an opportunity to tell the truth then do we do it or do we compromise in order to keep the peace or keep from being persecuted?  Now I’m not saying that we should get a blow horn and announce our Christian faith in the streets in an area where Christians are shot on site for example.  I am talking about opportunities we have in our daily lives to represent the truth and not compromise for the sake of another.

Would you openly disagree with a pastor, minister, evangelist, bishop, or any other religious leader for fear of the response of the people around you?  Many would.  Of course many may keep silence due to lack of confidence in their own knowledge of the particular topic or lack of such knowledge.  That is a different concern than mere compromise.

The Lie Principle

The world that we live in is not concerned with truth.  That I’m sure is very evident to you by now in your life.  The motivating factor in just about everything on planet earth is wealth.  People want to get as much as they can as quickly as they can and in many cases at any cost.  Business people cut corners to produce an inferior product and yet advertise a superior quality product to increase profits.  Many pastors, bishops, preachers preach to people that they must in one way or another dedicate their lives to the church and to the “man of God” in order to be blessed by God.  This in turn correlates to people becoming compelled to spend much time and money for the church organization, which in effect is for the head of that organization such as the pastor.

Our world operates on lies and this lie principle as permeated even those things we would expect to find the truth.  You can’t walk into any religious organization and expect the truth. One would think that if he or she goes to church and listens to the pastor that he or she would get guidance for their lives, but instead they find themselves sucked dry of life and of course their resources.   They were lied to for the sake of the organization.

The Few That Told The Truth

Paul said basically that if God is for us than it doesn’t matter who is against us.  There are a few people who have lived this type of confidence in God.  There are some people who simply stood for the truth and changed the world even though it could mean their own demise.  Let me list a few of them.

1. The Apostles of Jesus Christ.
   
   These men and women were persecuted for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Many such as Paul and Peter were killed for their preaching and faith in Jesus Christ.  Many others were also imprisoned, tortured, and killed for their faith.
   
2. Jon Hus (pre-protestant reformation).
   
   Of all the people that I have read about in Christian history John Hus has touched me the most I think.  His dedication for the truth and his integrity for the truth is truly amazing and an inspiration to me.   I encourage you to do more reading about John Hus (Jan Hus, Jon Hus).  The following is an excerpt from an article taken from www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/JohnHusThePreReformer.htm
   
   In 1408, Wyclif's Czech translations came under scrutiny from the Catholic hierarchy. In 1409, the archbishop of Prague became openly antagonistic toward both Wyclif and Hus. By 1410, Pope Alexander V issued a papal bull ordering the surrender and burning of all of Wyclif's writings. Hus refused to relinquish his copies and the archbishop excommunicated him. Hus defied this order and continued preaching in Bethlehem Chapel. Despite receiving support from the nobility, pressure was mounting. Yet, Hus would not be deterred. In a letter to the Pope, Hus stated that he was bound to speak the truth and that he was ready to suffer a dreadful death, rather than declare something contrary to the will of Christ. That same year he antagonized the pope when he publicly denounced the selling of indulgencies in order to finance a crusade against the king of Naples.
   
   By 1412 Hus' preaching had alienated him from the archbishop, the university, and the clergy. At the advice of the king Hus withdrew from Prague. His popularity grew as he continued preaching in the fields, forests, and marketplaces of southern Bohemia. About this time he wrote that for one, "to cease from preaching, in obedience to the mandate of the pope or archbishop, would be to disobey God and imperil his own salvation." Czech sentiment remained with him, but Hus' writings and reputation began to draw negative attention across Europe.
   
   In 1414, the Council of Constance began. Sigismund (king of the Romans and heir to the throne of Bohemia) convinced Hus to appear before the Council and guaranteed his safe conduct to Constance and back. Hus could have remained in Bohemia under the protection of many loyal princes, but he was hoping his arguments would be heard and was willing to be convinced if proven wrong. It was his goal to confirm his beliefs with the truth. He once wrote, if anyone can "instruct me by the sacred Scriptures or by good reasoning I am willing to follow him. From the outset of my studies, I have made it a rule to joyfully and humbly recede from a former opinion when in any matter I perceive a more rational opinion." Hus would not get this opportunity at Constance.
   
   Almost immediately upon his arrival — despite the guarantee of safety — Hus was sent to prison on November 25, 1414. He was interrogated, abused, and fell ill. During his lengthy imprisonment, he was deprived of all books including the Bible. He was tried on several counts related to his embrace of Wyclif's writings. The Council repeatedly aligned Hus with the already regarded, though dead, heretic Wyclif. Among the final charges levied against him was that he defended Wyclif as a good Christian, salvation did not depend on the pope, and only God himself could excommunicate someone from the church.
   
   Several attempts were made to get Hus to recant. He refused them all. His final sentence came on July 6, 1415. At the sentencing, he was placed on a high stool in the middle of the church and sentenced to death. The chronicler of the events noted that they placed a hood over his head, with pictures of the devil and the word "heresiarch" (a leader of heretics), then committed his soul to the devil. Hus responded, "And I commit myself to the most gracious Lord Jesus." In a letter written the night before his sentencing, Hus prayed that if his death would contribute anything to God's glory, then he might be able to meet it without fear. Hands bound behind his back, Hus was chained to the stake. Wood and hay were piled up to his chin. Rosin was sprinkled on it. He was given one last chance to recant and be set free. Bravely, he refused and said, "I shall die with joy today in the faith of the gospel which I have preached." As they lit the flames around him he sang out twice, "Christ thou Son of the Living God, have mercy upon me." He died singing and praying.
   
   During his exile in Bohemia, Hus wrote the following:
   
   "What fear shall part us from God, or what death? What shall we lose if for His sake we forfeit wealth, friends, the world's honors and our poor life? It is better to die well than to live badly. We dare not sin to avoid the punishment of death. To end in grace the present life is to be banished from misery. Truth is the last conqueror. He wins who is slain, for no adversity `hurts him if no iniquity has dominion over him."
   
   
3. Martin Luther (The protestant reformation)
   
   Martin Luther is credited for starting the protestant reformation.  He went toe-to-toe with the Catholic churches in regards to their corruption and ungodly practices.  One of the things that really lit the fire so to speak was Martin’s opposition to indulgences.  Luther mailed 95 theses to Albert, Archbishop of Mainz and Magdeburg in which he protested the sale of indulgences and invited him to a disputation (debate) on the matter.
   
   What is interesting is that Luther, as well as John Hus invited opposition to their beliefs.  They were not afraid to discuss what they believed to be true and were open to change their beliefs it the other view could be shown to derive from scripture and that their beliefs were indeed in error.
   
   Though Martin Luther was not martyred, he was indeed in sharp opposition to the corrupt Catholic Church at that time and was defiant even until his death.

Of course there are many others that stood for the truth.  They stood for truth even at the expense of their own lives in many cases.

There are many today that tell the truth.  I believe that Pursuing the Truth Ministries is one of those entities that promote the truth of the Christian faith.  I pray that we would be bold in the Lord and continue to tell the truth.

Confidence in God

Telling the truth at the expense of your own well being necessitates that you have confidence in something that would overpower your desire to save yourself.  Sometimes this confidence is misplaced because of the lies of men.  However, we do have examples from the Bible of people who learned to trust God and had great confidence in Him.  Let’s look at some now.

• Psalm 118:6-9 (NKJV) -- {6} The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? {7} The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me. {8} It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man. {9} It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes.

  It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.  What a statement and what a revelation!  Do we truly trust God such that we would confide in Him?
  
  I’d like to take note of verse 5 of Psalm 118.  It says, “I called upon the LORD in distress; The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.”  David here had a reason to trust God.  He called on God and God came to his rescue.  Therefore, we can trust God more and more as a result of the experiences that we have with Him.  The more we see first hand that God is trustworthy then the more we will tend to trust Him.
  

• Psalm 3 (NKJV) -- {1} Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. {2} Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” {3} But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. {4} I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. {5} I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. {6} I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. {7} Arise, O Lord; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. {8} Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people.

This psalm corresponds to David’s situation with his son, Absalon.  See 2 Samuel 15 – 18.  David trusted God even though others were telling him that God would not help him.  I think verse five is most interesting and inspiring.  David said that he was able to relax because of his confidence in God.

• Psalm 20:6-8 (NKJV) -- {6} Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. {7} Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. {8} They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright.
• Psalm 23:4 (NKJV) -- {4} Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
• Psalm 27:1-3 (NKJV) -- {1} The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? {2} When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. {3} Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.
• Psalm 46:1-3 (NKJV) -- {1} God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. {2} Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; {3} Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
• Isaiah 12:2 (NKJV) -- {2} Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ”
• 1 John 4:4 (NKJV) -- {4} You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
• Joshua 10:42 (NKJV) -- {42} All these kings and their land Joshua took at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.

If God is with you and therefore for you then why should you fear?  God is trustworthy and is deserving of your confidence.

Bondage in the Name of Christ

People are slaves in their churches and they don’t even know it.  People are bound and oppressed in their Christian organizations called church and they have no idea who is sucking the life from them.  Many people are prey to serpents that want their money and their life so that they would become wealthy.

Churches have fundraisers called conferences for the purpose of increasing membership and therefore increase offerings.  Now don’t get me wrong here.  I know that there are many good churches that preach the truth of the Christian faith.  I’m sure that there are many churches that have conferences to educate people and not oppress them.  However, there are still many that only want to drain your resources from you so that a kingdom would be built.

The oppressive teachings are pawned off as something that comes from God or is preached in the name of Christ.  These are lies.  The reason that people don’t know the lies is because they don’t know the truth.  If I don’t know the truth about something then I am likely to fall for anything.  We put our faith in someone’s teaching not because the presentation and not the content.

I have seen time and time again how people are so quick to shout, “Amen” when they don’t have a clue that what they are agreeing with is dead wrong.  People are hypnotized in churches and they readily sell themselves to the preacher or pastor.  They think they are serving God when in fact they have committed adultery.

Who will bring the light so that these slaves would see the truth?  Who would have the confidence in God to stand up and call a lie a lie and the truth the truth?

The Truth Everyday

The integrity of a Christian is more than a religious attribute.  It is a lifestyle attribute that is manifested in all aspects of our daily walk.  This includes integrity while we work on our jobs, in our churches, during our playtime, and with our family.  The truth is an all encompassing disposition to those who call themselves Christians.

Jesus said that he is the way, the TRUTH and the life and Paul said that we are ambassadors of Christ.  Therefore, we should exude the truth that is in Jesus Christ.  People should see truth when they examine your life.  This does not mean perfection as no human being is perfect.  However, our lifestyle should be one of truth as we represent the TRUTH, namely Jesus Christ.

Are you honest with people on your job?  Sometimes we are afraid of losing our jobs or being disciplined so we refrain from truth.  These are just some of the things that we humans have to cope with as we live in a world of lies.  This is also why we need wisdom to live in a world that is opposed to the truth and so that we would know how to respond to such situations.

James 1:2-5 (NKJV) -- {2} My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, {3} knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. {4} But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. {5} If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Here James was instructing the Christians on what to do when they fall into persecution and therefore how to respond to that persecution.  So we must seek wisdom to operate in world of falsehoods.

I recall one day on my job I was sitting at the conference table with my co-workers eating lunch.  The question came up for the husbands of what to say when your wife asks a question such as, “Does this dress make me look fat?”  There were a slew of “husband 101” answers.  However, I said that if you consistently answered questions truthfully then she would come to expect the truth or a candid answer instead of the typical husband 101 answers.  If a person doesn’t want to know the truth then they ought not to ask someone who has a reputation of being honest.

Political Correctness and Interpretation

Political correctness is just a way to appease the masses instead of being honest and candid in your own way.  Of course people are going to interpret what you say differently then you meant it sometimes.  Of course people are going to misunderstand what you say or do sometimes.  That’s just a fact of life and is unavoidable.  However, our society has come to a point where it tries to appease everyone.

We can’t be honest because we have to be politically correct.  I can’t say what I mean because what I mean is not sociably acceptable or appropriate.  You can’t be honest because people assume that there MUST be some ulterior motive behind your appearance of honesty.  You can’t just say it as it is because people aren’t used to hearing the truth and therefore wouldn’t know what to do with it.

Our society wallows in a sea of lies and we see it progress in what is considered taboo or acceptable at any given time in history.  Why not just tell the truth?  Why not just call a spade a spade.  If you think the pastor or a minister is wrong then why don’t you confront him respectfully of course?  Why are we so afraid to stand up for the truth and therefore for honesty.

We expect honesty and yet we know that honesty isn’t the way of the world.  What a dilemma that is.  It would be so simply to just tell the truth and take the heat, but that in itself implies many different things.  First we may offend someone if we told the truth.  Consider Jesus’ ministry and how he offended the religious leaders of his day.  Second we would have to be willing to take the consequences of telling the truth.

So I suppose that the compromise is political correctness or in some cases situational ethics.  Let’s talk in such a way that we cover all of the bases and offend no one.  That is the way of the world.  However, imagine if God spoke to us that way.  We could never be saved nor could God save us that way because no one would be offended and therefore no one would be sinners.  Therefore political correctness is just another way to avoid telling the truth.

Conclusion

We need to stand for the truth.  We need to let people know the truth of the Christian faith so that they would live in that same truth.  We need to tell the people the truth so that they would be free from the bondage that has been imposed on them by their religious organization and sometimes even their own beloved church.

We need to preach the truth to people because they are lost and they need to be free.  Jesus is the truth and we need to represent Jesus and light the way to Jesus so that people would get to the Father.   We need to stand for the truth so that people would come to know the truth.  How can they know the truth if you don’t tell them and how can you tell them if you don’t go and how can you go to tell them the truth if you don’t know the truth yourself.

God is not hiding the truth.  He freely reveals the truth to all who seek it.  If you seek then you will find (Matthew 7:7).  The reason people don’t know the truth is because they are not looking for it.  This can come about by at least two reasons.  First they are lazy and will settle for anything as long as it appeases their sense of doing the right thing.  Secondly they have fallen for a lie and have stopped looking for the truth thinking that they have found it.  This is indeed unfortunate.  It is OK to continue your pursuit for the truth even if you think you have found it because your pursuit will help keep you on the path of truth or it will lead to correction with the truth.

Put your confidence in God and know the trustworthiness of God so that you would have what it takes to stand for the truth.  You can’t stand on your own two feet in regards to the truth because you need a power beyond yourself to energize you so to speak.  You need to know that God is with you and behind you so that you would have boldness in what you do.

Talk to people and give them the love of God and the truth.  Let people know the truth of the Christian faith.  I find that it is very helpful to inform people that what they have experienced or know of church may have nothing to do with the Christian faith.  I bring it to their attention that there is a difference between the church organization and the Christian faith.  Knowing that difference is key to people knowing the truth.

Stand for the truth.  Preach the truth and most of all live the truth.  Amen.