It Is Time To Stand

   The common but unspoken mantra of modern day churchianity is: “Come as you are, sing ‘Just as I am,’ now go as you were.”  There is little serious consideration for active belief in the biblical truth that a person in Christ is a new creature, old things passed away and new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:17).  There may be the urgent plea to get saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), but the subsequent exhortation and expectation of discipleship manifesting in a transformed, supernatural and fruitful life is often ignored. Yet, the new Christian is God’s workmanship created for good works which God prepared beforehand for the new believer to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). And it doesn’t take a religiously trained Ph.D to understand such truths, but rather a GED, a God Empowered Disciple to work out that great salvation and to walk out the talk (Acts 1:8, 4:13, Philippians 2:13; 1 John 2:27; John 14:26).

   It’s time for Christians to rise up and BE the Church, the assembly of those called and chosen out of the world and the dominion of Satan  (Acts 26:18) and authority of darkness (Colossians 1:13).  It is time to return to the early Church preaching of the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12). It is time for Jesus’ followers to be the salt, light and proclaimers and demonstrators of the Kingdom of God in Spirit and power (1 Corinthians 2:4; 4:20).  Christians are God’s born again and called-out saints, soldiers, ambassadors and disciple makers to arise and stand up against the wickedness of the world to resist the devil and god of this world (2 Corinthains 4:4) and to tread upon his demonic forces (Luke 10:19) which energize Satan’s sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2).

   Fortunately, the faithful remnant is rising up to manifest the miraculous nature of this Kingdom redemptive work and glory accomplished by the grace of God (Philippians 2:9; John 17:22; 1 Corinthians 4:21; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 2:11-13; 1 Corinthains 15:10).  Jesus manifested His glory at His first miracle in Cana (John 2:11).  Likewise, the Holy Spirit who was sent to glorify the Son (John 16:14) does this when God performs miracles in Christians who are Spirit empowered to hear, believe and obey the Gospel (Galatians 3:5) and who walk in the freedom of the Spirit (Romans 8:14; 2 Corinthains 3:17; Galatians 5:1).  

   After all, the Church of God is the only divinely authorized and firm pillar and support of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).  The Church alone has the truth, divine power, kingly authority and magnificent promises of God necessary to advance His kingdom (John 17:17; Acts 1:8; 1 Timothy 3:15; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20; 2 Peter 1:3-4). It’s God’s faithful and obedient remnant who experience His kingly rule (1 Peter 1:2, 3:15; Romans 14:9).  They only can be assured of the abiding presence of the King of kings (Matthew 28:20; John 14:21,23) who is building His triumphant Church (Matthew 16:18) and with the back up support of the sovereign God who has established His throne in the heavens (Romans 8:31; Psalm 103:19).

   Christians are to proclaim Jesus who is the truth and seek and proclaim His Kingdom (John 14:6; Matthew 6:33; Acts 8:12) and preach His word which is truth (John 17:17). This Kingdom is described as being righteousness, peace and joy accomplished by the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17), the Holy Spirit of truth (John 14:17, 15:26, 16:13).  The Kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power (1 Corinthains  4:20).  One only has to fix the eyes on Jesus the Author and Perfecter of faith and take up the shield of faith to overcome the world (Hebrews  12:1-2; Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 5:4).  When we fight the good fight of faith in the spiritual realm, we will see more victory in the political, educational, judicial and social realms. Look at Jesus, who won in the spiritual realm though He also was temporarily a victim of injustice in the politically correct and unethical world. Even His religious opponents were deceived in thinking He was finished.  Yet, He spoke the truth saying “it is finished.”   God’s perfect will had been accomplished and the devil and father of lies was defeated by Him who is the Truth.

   When truth has stumbled in the streets justice is turned back, righteousness stands far away and uprightness cannot enter (Isaiah 59:14).  Therefore, Christians must contend earnestly for the faith and stand up for truth and proclaim Jesus who is the Truth by the power of the Holy Spirit.   And where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty (2 Corinthains 3:17).  When one is taught by the Spirit of truth to abide in Jesus and His Word there is true liberty (Jn 8:32).  After all, Christ gave Himself for our sins so that He might deliver us from this present evil age (Galatians 1:4). Christians have received the Spirit’s power to be the Lord’s witnesses throughout the world (Acts 1:8), to be God’s holy and royal priests in His Church and to exercise kingly authority to advance His kingdom (Matthew 28:18; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20).  Christians have been sent out just as Jesus was sent out (John 17:18).  The same glory the Father has given to the Son, has been given to His followers (John 17:22).  The works that Jesus did, Christians are to do also, and even greater work than His (John 14:12).  They only have to believe and obey (John 3:36) and rely on the Holy Spirit who was given to effect such works (cf. Galatians 2:8; John 16:7).  Christians are expected to imitate Jesus who did good and healed those oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38), and who came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).  They have received the Holy Spirit sent from heaven who grants power for such mighty works (John 16:7; Galatians 3:5; Matthew12:28), and so can stand.

Robert Klous is the founder of Time to Stand Ministries.  His book, Finders of Truth/Keepers of Faith  would be a great Christmas present for family and friends to get them into a spiritually rewarding and Bible-enriched devotional habit in 2020.  It can be purchased on Amazon or contact Robert by Facebook message or phone text (937-935-8762) or by chat in the www.DrKlouslive.com program (9 am EST Tuesday/Thursdays) for discount pricing on bulk orders.


TWO GREAT BOOKS BY TIME TO STAND MINISTRIES:

   Time to Stand Ministries was founded by Robert Klous as a ministry to motivate, educate, equip and enlist Christian activists to stand strong and invincible even in seemingly impossible situations. In this postmodern age truth has stumbled in the street, novel religious ideas abound in the church, false teachers roam the countryside and doctrines of demons invade the mind.  In such a time as this God fearing Christians must take the Time to Stand.  Only by standing against the tide of modern day powerless religion and postmodern insanity can one supernaturally overcome, stand strong and authenticate the Good News Gospel and the Kingdom of God with love, unity and sound doctrine.

   It these last and evil days when many question or deny orthodox Christian faith and laugh or turn away from “churchianity,” when many fall away from the faith and fewer contend earnestly for the faith, it is imperative that Spirit-filled Christians arise and boldly contend for the faith.  It is Time to Stand on our feet and “take it to the street.”  In these busy and trying times, too many professing Christians spiritually dine on daily crumbs, milquetoast sermons, pastoral pastries and fast food religion dispensed by “evangellyfish”  who have no backbone — or by prosperity preachers seeking a “wishbone.”  Christians must become swordfish, nourished on sound doctrine, with backbone.

   Two books have been published in order to help facilitate the mission of Time to Stand Ministries and to help address two serious weaknesses in the contemporary Church: lack of personal devotion and biblical illiteracy. 

   The 296 page Time to Stand book has 52 chapters addressing 52 challenges to a stand-strong faith, and with ample Scriptural strategies and wisdom. It comes with an accompanying Study Guide.  It is useful in personal discipleship, home group fellowships and church Sunday school or midweek teaching.  

   The second book, Finders of the Truth, Keepers of the Faith, is a 465-page daily devotional book containing over 4,000 supporting Scriptures.  The daily devotionals are more like mini doctrinal studies with many topics listed in its Subject Index.  Timely and powerful quotes begin each devotion. The devotional enhances the development of a daily devotional discipline while at the same time gives scriptural critiques of contemporary important and challenging issues.

   Both books may be obtained on Amazon.com  or from the author by phone and/or texting 937-935-8762.  Discounts are offered for bulk orders. Call or text for information.