...make "going rogue" for God a way of life..

a very good article...from an weekly email that I receive

Are You Going Rogue?
by Jonathan Falwell

Sarah Palin’s much touted new book “Going Rogue” hit the shelves this week with much hoopla, including a high profile book tour. Predictably, Mrs. Palin has been met with the standard disparagement from many liberals because she does not fit the leftist ideal of the feminist, pro-choice woman.

While I have not yet read her book, I am intrigued by Mrs. Palin, specifically her nonconformist character and the way in which she has captivated the hearts of conservative America.

In fact, her recent reappearance in the national spotlight has caused me to reflect on how “going rogue” can relate to the church and Christians today.

You know, as Christians, we have a tried-and-true roadmap for life in the Bible, the ultimate truth that is the Word of God. We should never even consider going rogue in terms of countering or contradicting any part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

However, in terms of what our culture has defined for people in this modern age, we should certainly be counteracting those policies. Society promotes concepts of: nebulous and changing truth; situational ethics; diversity of faith; sexual experimentation; and an often-callous disregard for human life.

In response we, as followers of the living Christ, should be: living holy lives; promoting the never-changing truth and salvation of God’s Word; serving as vocal ambassadors of and apologists for Jesus Christ within the culture that rejects Him.

In effect, living a life of consistent Christian character means that we are essentially going rogue against the popular notions of compromise and convenience. Developing righteous character, which means often walking that lonely path least traveled, should be our first priority for the sake of championing the Gospel.

Longtime Falwell friend J.C. Watts once stated, “Character is doing the right thing when nobody’s looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that’s right is to get by, and the only thing that’s wrong is to get caught.”

Such policies should never invade the church, nor should they infect our personal lives. Our churches must be about the business of training and raising up people of assured and assertive faith.

One of the first columns I wrote following my father’s death in May 2007 was titled, “Are You Controversial?” I noted how Dad had lived his life in near continual controversy largely because he lived with what has been described as audacious faith. As a result, God blessed Dad in immeasurable ways and his legacy continues in amazing ways today through the worldwide outreaches of Thomas Road Baptist Church and Liberty University.

Of course, when we are living lives of positive, fruitful faith that the world sees as foolhardy we are going to face criticism and attacks from those who oppose the Gospel. That’s frequently the price of going rogue.

Just ask Sarah Palin. Just ask any Christian living a bold faith.

Let’s close by looking at Paul and Silas. I love to think of these two men sitting in the stocks of a dark jail after being beaten simply for preaching Christ and healing a demon-possessed girl. And in that horrible situation, the Bible tells us “they were praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25). Their love for Jesus Christ could not be tempted or compromised. As such, through a mighty miracle of God, they were able to see their jailer and his family call on Jesus to be their Savior.

Do you want to live a life of silent faith with no controversy and little opportunity for great victories? Then don’t even think about “going rogue.”

But if you’re looking for the adventure and excitement of seeing what Jesus Christ can accomplish through your faith in Him, throw caution and hesitation to the wind and make “going rogue” for God a way of life.

Lest we forget the cost...we give thanks

William Bradford’s account of the experience of the settlers at Plymouth Colony is not only a moving description of the trials of emigration to a wilderness but also captures their profound faith and contains a timeless exhortation to succeeding generations:

"Being thus passed the vast ocean ... they had now no friends to welcome them, nor inns to entertain or refresh their weatherbeaten bodies, no houses or much less towns to repair to ... And for the season it was winter, and they that know the winters of that country know them to be sharp and violent … Besides, what could they see but a hideous and desolate wilderness? … Neither could they, as it were, go to the top of Pisgah, to view from this wilderness a more godly country to feed their hopes, for which way soever they turned their eyes (save upwards to the heavens) they could have little solace or content … what could now sustain them but the spirit of God and His grace? They cried to the Lord, and He heard their voice, and looked on their adversity. Let them therefore praise the Lord, because He is good, and His mercies endure for ever."

a portion from President G. Bush's Thanksgiving Proclamation