A PRINCIPLED STAND

As a Christian, we encounter many a situation, where we wonder, “to do or not to do.” Either way, there would be loss. How do we go about such a situation can be confusing, to many. “What do we choose?” is a big and troubling question. One such situation was faced by Baptist Missionaries south-west of Hyderabad. 

A small group of Baptist Missionaries started their mission station in a small town. They encountered a peculiar problem…a serious dilemma. Leaders from the upper castes came to the missionaries, to inform them that, they like the teachings of Jesus, and wish to follow Jesus. However, they had only one condition. They said, in essence – “We cannot have the people from lower castes in this group. If you wish to include the lower castes, then we cannot be part of it” 

The Baptist Missionaries did not have any confusion or dilemma, regarding what what they should do. They were absolutely clear that, what the upper caste people were asking is wrong. The LORD made it plain and clear in His written Word – “12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” – Romans 10:12-13

Therefore, the missionaries chose to pitch their tent with the outcasts and the discriminated, on the matter of principle, laid out so clearly in the Bible. There may have been temporary losses, for the upper castes held all the power and influence. But still, standing for the clearly laid out principles in the Bible, is of far more significance than anything else. The missionaries choose to stand with God and for God, about whom they were preaching, and on whose behalf, they were the ambassadors…Jesus Christ the LORD and the Saviour!

How about us? If we come to such a situations, how would we respond? Would we respond like the missionaries, to stand for the principles, values and ethics as laid out in the Bible? Would we wish to take loss, because of such a principled stand? It is a no brainer, is my humble opinion. Standing with and for God is never a loss, despite the loss, if any. The LORD is looking for uncompromising disciples in an ever comprising world. Would we dare to trust God on this, and walk with our Master? Even so the LORD help us.