For far too long, we Christians have been cheering certain companies on because "they support our values," they're "all about values" or "they're a Christian Company." Can I suggest something that may offend most people reading this? We've been lazy, and expecting some person, corporation, or company to live out the values we don't have the guts to live out on our own. That is why so many people are up in arms and offended when a "Christian Company" does this, or a streaming service seeks to make money off of a raunchy video mocking Christians, or a channel known for values caves in to pressure from a powerful lobby that is unhappy with anything but complete and total domination. It's time to let go of depending on Hobby Lobby, Hallmark, or Chick-Fil-A to live out our values for us, and begin to live them for ourselves. If you say you love Christ, live like a Christian according to God's word, and don't depend on someone else to portray those values for you. Put down the remote, chicken sandwich, or 50% off holiday item, and pick up the faith that we're made to live! It's time for us to BE the church, the community of believers who love one another, who preach the word in and out of season, who "reprove, rebuke and exhort" one another, and build one another up in God's word. It's time we stop depending on companies to show us the way, and walk the way together while following Jesus. Church, let's not be lazy in love, but let us clean house, stop approving of sins within the church, and stop depending on others to do it for us. Now is the time for us to be the church God called us to be! Now is the time to stand upon God's word, and not someone else. Corporations did not live and die for my sins and my soul, but Jesus did, so I will stand upon His word, no turning back. 2 Timothy 4
English Standard VersionÂ
Preach the Word
1I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3For the time is coming when people will not endure sounda teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
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