Stand Strong

In 2nd Corinthians 8, the apostle Paul is commending the work of Titus, as well as another brother
who had been proven to be trustworthy. He writes:
18 And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches,
19 and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind,
20 avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us--
21 providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

We can be challenged by Scripture to seek to be trustworthy.  These gentlemen were entrusted, apparently, a significant gift and needed to transport and present it in an appropriate manner.  They had an established reputation for being honorable.  Because we name the name of Christ and are His representatives, we can be careful to display Godly character; our witness is reinforced as we are dedicated to walking in His principles and sharing His love.

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Today, I will share how a particular Scripture passage was one of many that encouraged a former business leader in Kansas City when he encountered opposition for his faith.  From that passage, in
1st Peter 3, here are two verses:
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

A short time ago on The Meeting House, I featured a conversation with three-time Super Bowl champion Chad Hennings, who used to play with the Dallas Cowboys.  He attended his first Promise Keepers event in Texas Stadium, where the Cowboys once played.  He has now been named to the board of the organization, which, after years of flying under the radar, is re-launching its once-dynamic conference ministry and providing other resources for men.

I would dare say there are thousands of stories out there of men whose lives in Christ were re-energized by the PK movement, and in this age in which masculinity has not been represented well and integrity has been trampled on, I think many would agree that it is time that Christian men embrace whom God calls them to be.

I came across an inspiring story on the Baptist Press website which was penned by G. Richard Hastings, who is the retired President & CEO of the Saint Luke's Health System, which serves western Missouri and eastern Kansas.  Hastings wrote of his involvement with Promise Keepers and two letters he received along that "journey," as he puts it.

One was "from a group of individuals who called on my board of directors to fire me because they opposed my involvement in Promise Keepers as well as the Promise Keepers movement itself." Hastings had been "widely quoted" in an article about PK that appeared in a local newspaper.  Hastings went to God's Word and began to read in 1st Peter chapter 3.  The article states:

It started: "Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?" Further: "But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed." My first question was how could that be since I was already being harmed, and I questioned how this attack could be a blessing. But in the days to come, verses 13-19 were prayed over and over.

He spoke with his wife and his accountability group.  He concluded that it was necessary to meet with those who were his accusers.  He wrote:

So I contacted those who had demanded my job and asked to meet with them. All but one decided not to meet with me but a few of them later became good friends and I never asked why they took their action. I did talk with one physician, a psychiatrist, who seemed to focus on the incorrect opinion of the Rev. Susan Helm-Davis of Hillside Christian Church who said the Promise Keepers view that women were to be submissive to their husbands is "more like an employer-employee or slave master." I explained my view of Ephesians 5:25 and then asked the psychiatrist how that could be problematic. He listened but gave no response and later left the medical staff. While my visceral reaction was to fight, God's message was to share the love of Jesus.

And, Hastings' board continued to support him.

Then, he got another letter...

He writes that, "It was signed by a host of community leaders thanking me for adhering to my faith and standing firm in my Christian beliefs no matter the opposition."  He was elevated to being a go-to person for praying at major events and even was asked to comment for a theological article in the local paper.  Hastings said:

As for the experience, I praise God, for it taught me to go to His Word in prayer and to seek advice from my wife and my accountability group when challenged for trying to live and practice my faith at work. 1 Peter 4:14 became a favorite verse (I have hundreds): "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because of the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."

Richard Hastings has provided some sound principles about standing firm and standing the right way. Instead of backing off his involvement with Promise Keepers, as he had been advised by some, he stuck by his convictions.  And, his first step, as it should be for each of us, was to go to the Lord in prayer.  I think there may be a tendency to come up with a solution for a dilemma we face, and then perhaps ask the Lord to bless that.  His Word can direct us as we develop a strategy to deal with our challenges.

He took a step that was a bit unusual, especially in these days when there is a tendency to hunker down and fight back: he invited his accusers to meet with him.  Motivated by the admonition in Romans 12 to "live peaceably with all," he firmly but humbly explained his position.  But, he never backed down, because he was apparently convinced that He was doing the will of God.

Finally, we can think about how people are looking for men and women of conviction.  He had the support of his board of directors in the face of opposition; they knew, as Hastings wrote that he "was trying to live my faith in my CEO role as well as in my life."   We have the opportunity to demonstrate Godly character; to be people of integrity, who live what we believe and to show that we walk with God.