By Steve Higginbotham
It is often the case that when God’s people stand in opposition to cultural trends which violate the will of God, our society will attempt to discredit our opposition by “name-calling” and “false-labeling.” However, such tactics should not dissuade one who is standing in the right. God’s people have been called troublemakers (1 Kings 18:17), feeble (Nehemiah 4:2), law-breakers (Acts 16:21), and even Jesus was thought by his own family to be insane (Mark 3:21).
Since the disciple is not above his master (Matthew 10:24), it should come as no surprise that we will sometimes have to endure slander, misrepresentation, and ugly names. However…
If opposing homosexual marriage is being homophobic, Lord, give us more homophobes!
If demanding obedience to the Bible is legalism, Lord, give us more legalists!
If opposing divorce, except for the cause of fornication, is idealistic, Lord, give us more idealists!
If opposing women leadership in the church is chauvinism, Lord, give us more chauvinists!
If dressing modestly is prudish, Lord, give us more prudes!
If opposing abortion is right wing, Lord, give us more right-wingers!
If believing in the inerrancy of Scripture is fundamentalism, Lord, give us more fundamentalists!
If total commitment is fanaticism, Lord, give us more fanatics!
If believing one should be a virgin when one marries is Puritanism, Lord, give us more puritans!
If believing in creation is foolish and unenlightened, Lord, give us more fools!
Just remember this truth: It doesn’t matter what names the world may call us so long as the Lord calls us “right!”