We live in times where there is no central philosophy or way of life that holds our society, our communities, together in a common bond or direction. People have such widely different views of the world. People have such widely different commitments to behaviors and ways of living.

The growing diversity of cultures and points of view can be a wonderful thing. It can also be the source of deep confusion, and even fear. It can also be the reason some simply get lost—ending up with no direction, and no deep reliable guide through life. To drift away from the real Truth is certainly the greatest danger.

In this context, we as committed believers in Jesus, we as part of the Christian church community, if we find themselves confused about values and direction, we must encourage each other to go deeply into the Word of God. Jesus Christ, through his Spirit, speaking through the Holy Scriptures, is our authority, our guide, the source of our deepest values and orientation. Jesus is our identity. Yes, we may disagree with each other as we try to understand the implications of Scripture for our lives, but even if we disagree over interpretations and doctrine at times, we absolutely must, we must, insist together that the Scriptures are the authoritative guide and witness to the truth in Jesus. That is where we go, in prayer, in discussion, in discernment, and yes in times of disagreement with one another—that is where we go to find the truth. The Holy Spirit will reveal it to us, if we go there in humility and sincerity.

Today not only is it difficult sometimes to find one’s way, with Christians disagreeing with one another so deeply, it is difficult even when the Spirit has given you clarity through the Word—it is difficult, isn’t it, to stand humbly yet firmly for what is right and true. We all have in us the desire to be loving and affirming neighbors, and this desire is from God. But the deepest form of that desire—to love—must be to share the truth, to stand for the truth, to represent the truth well, in integrity, in our relationships with others who don’t believe. Standing with integrity in a force field electrified with others’ strong opinions and values—standing with integrity for what you know to be right and true and most deeply loving from the Scriptures—standing like that may not be easy, but it is our calling.

The book of Esther in the Bible gives us the dramatic story of a brave young woman of faith and integrity—and her older wise cousin— as they took their stance of faith in the middle of great danger and opposition. They not only took a stand, they willingly stepped into the path of danger when they felt the call of God to do so. Let us sit together under this great story of faith and integrity—and God’s guidance—and allow God’s Spirit to teach us courage and discernment and trust in Him, as we seek to be faithful in our time and place. We are all called to be faithful and to stand with integrity “in such a time as this.”

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Pastor Gary