Faith untested really isnt faith is it? How can you really know what you believe unless something challenges you to your core? I started thinking about how deep my faith really runs upon looking back at setbacks, trials and testing on what or how boldly I will continue to proclaim my faith in Christ Jesus. I mean, if my life were without trial, test or struggle how can I know the real measure of my faith? How can I prove to God how much I trust in Him? Dr. Tony Evans says “Everbody wants God when he’s on sale, when he comes at full price, they start shopping elsewhere.” Now before you puff yourself up trying to express how committed you are, realize that we live in a country where we are free to worship. Meanwhile, believers in other countries are literally running, hiding and are being killed because of their faith. Are you more committed than they are? It’s worth a few minutes to ponder. How commited am I to my faith in Jesus?

Jesus said “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven, but anyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”(Matt 10:32-33)
Its pretty obvious that it not only takes mere faith but commitment and boldness to proclaim you belong to Jesus. But, what happens if being bold for Jesus leads to trials, tests, struggle, ridicule, job loss, pain or even death? Are we willing to be that bold, to go that far? Think about this:

• Simon Peter- Most facts confirm he was crucified….yup, he was crucified and because he felt unworthy to die like his savior, he requested to be crucified upside down.(This isn’t lethal injection or even the electric chair, this is the most horrible way to die, there wasn’t human rights activists, this was cold blooded torture)

• Matthew- Nailed to the ground with spears and then had his head cut off. (Just try putting yourself there, would you still deny or proclaim your faith?)

• Thomas- Stabbed and killed with a spear (no more doubts there, he knew what and why he was dying)

• Andrew- Crucified on an X shaped cross in Greece.

• James(Jesus brother)- After being thrown down from 100 foot high temple, surviving the fall, he was then beaten to death with a club.

• Bartholomew- Flogged and whipped to death.

• Matthias- (He replaced Judas) Stoned and then got his head cut off.

• Apostle Paul- Tortured and then got his head cut off.

• John(The beloved)- He was actually thrown in a basin to be boiled to death, and God spared his life, he lived and later was able to write the book of Revelation. Amazing.

So, I ask you because I’ve had to look myself in the mirror and ask…am I willing to die for what I believe in? Listen, nobody I know is willing to die so horribly for a lie. Don’t even think that terrorists are brave, they cowardly, usually blow themselves up, killing innocent people, they don’t meet death in an intimate level, they take the quick way out.The examples above are just devout believers willing to die for what they believed in, there are people dying daily for the same faith all around the world. Jesus said “If you cling to your life, you will lose it, but if you give up your life for me, you will find it” (Matt 10:39)

Are you willing to die for what you believe, better yet, are you willing to really LIVE for what you believe? I just want to challenge your thinking a bit here, I’m not trying to convict you, the Holy Spirit does that, I just want to stir up some passion for faith because America desperately needs it again.

How far would you be willing to go to prove your faith?

I’d like to ask you permission, permission to share two vital things that I have learned as a a Christ follower and leader. You might be in leadership, managment or in ministry, by goal is to share these two points which are not limited to these vocations but also for families, relationships, they exist to help us improve in an area we all agree is difficult, honest communication. If you can get these main points to exist in your heart and mind before
having a tough conversation, I promise you that both you and the person or persons will leave feeling encouraged, positive and God will be glorified. What is the goal of honest concersation? Is it not to yeild a positive result? Start by seperating your own feelings, remove your opinion, stick to the facts and remember, everyone IS a child of God. Here are two points to remember before you say “we need to talk”:

1. Fall in love- Remember that love is the difference in everything we do, remember why you love the person. Remember that although you feel upset, angry or frustrated that your (tone) needs to convey love, not only choosing loving words but saying them in a loving way. If you forget this principle you will say things in a hurtful tone or even worse, you will choose words that hurt and wound the person instead of helping them heal and improve, which should be the core reason of the conversation.

2. Remember truth- When the Bible says “speak in truth and love” its not saying our version or perception of truth, its referring to the only real truth, Gods holy word. You need to base your facts based on biblical teachings and look closely on the life of Christ. Gods word tells us to always to “cloth” ourselves (which means put this on since you don’t already wear it) with humility, gentleness, kindness, etc..Sharing facts in a cold way doesn’t reflect Gods heart towards that person, it actually misrepresents God entirely becuase God LOVES his people, even when they make mistakes. I read recently from John Mason “God doesn’t view us as failures but as learners.” Aren’t we all learning?

Pray about the person, pray over yourself BEFORE having the meeting or conversation, and this meeting should not be the first time these issues become evident. A good leader coaches along the way, towards change, in other words there should have been encouragement, direction along the way before that important (talk) takes place. One more thing, don’t bend facts to support your position, remember the idea here is to improve and move forward, by remembering to state truth, facts in a loving way, we avoid using them to lash back from our own frustrations.

What are some principles you might be applying when having an honest conversation? Share them here.