Don’t kid yourself. We live in a polarizing time—a time when you no longer have the luxury of walking in the middle lane. You can’t be a closet Christian. You can’t hide in the shadows. If you hide, you have made your choice.

This shouldn’t be a surprise. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” (NKJV) If you can’t see the difference, then you are in the dark. Christianity has never in history been a compromising force. The church has stood against the gates of hell for 2,000 years. It has survived because of those who refused to compromise. She has marched on in victory by following the commands of Christ and living a life directed by the Word of God and not that of man.

Men and women of God have given their lives for the sake of the gospel. These “Christians” never wavered in their stance. They never shuttered under governmental edicts. They were legitimately friends of God and not in word only but deeds.

The church likes to sing the song titled, “I am a friend of God.” But are we? Are you? Do you know what it means to be a friend of God? At the last supper, Jesus told his disciples in John 15:14, ” You are My friends “if” you do whatever I command you.” We are not automatically God’s friends. We must do whatever He commands us to do.

He had just told them in Chapter 14 that “if” they love Him, they will keep His commandments. Not just the ten commandments, but “whatever I command you.”

Today I challenge you, as did Joshua to Israel when preparing for battle. Choose this day whom you will serve. Not deciding is deciding. Don’t leave your eternity in the hands of men. The choice is yours, and you alone will give an account for that decision.

Be bold. Take your stand. Choose Christ and be counted among His friends.

Jaime Luce

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