ARE CHRISTIANS WEAK?

By Charles N. Spence, Jr.

``Organized religion is a sham and crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers . . . It tells people to go stick their noses in other people's business. The Religious Right wants to tell people how to live.''

— Jessie Ventura (Governor of Minnesota)

When Jessie Ventura made those comments about religion, he lumped all religious people together. As a Christian, I find his remarks offensive to the faith that I hold dear. I cannot speak for those who embrace denominational viewpoints. However, concerning Christians as viewed from the New Testament, I can say something.

The Bible paints a picture of Christians that the world can only wish were not true. Acts 11:26 says that Christians are disciples of Jesus. As disciples, they adhere to the words of Jesus. Jesus said in John 8:31, “If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed.” Taking a stand upon the word of God is not always popular and certainly not easy. According to Acts 4:25-31, the disciples of Jesus prayed for boldness because they began to experience the difficulties of preaching the word of God. They were being threatened with affliction and persecution because they dared to preach Christ. A weak person would not have endured such trying of his faith. Paul said in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ . . .” Also, in 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul says that God did not give His people a spirit of cowardice. Having worked with navy seals, Ventura knows very well that it takes a strong-minded individual to be able to take a stand for that which he believes without cowering in the face of adversity. Christians must do that constantly. Paul goes on to tell Timothy not to be ashamed of him and the things that he suffered for the sake of the gospel. Paul invited Timothy to join him in his suffering (v. 8). Paul did not do this because he was weak, but because he had a strong belief in the cause for which he labored and a strong confidence in the One for whom he labored (vs. 9-12).

Ventura says that religious people need strength in numbers. That may be true for some religious people; however, the Christian must be strong even when he is alone. Jesus is the perfect example of this kind of strength. When His disciples abandoned Him, He still stayed the course and followed through on the mission He came to accomplish (Matt. 26:56). When all that He loved so dear and longed for had forsaken him, even in His darkest hour, Jesus did not abandon His mission (Matt. 27:45-46). As a politician, Ventura knows very well that many of his colleagues and even himself gave up on their ideals and stances, because they were not popular with the people. It takes strength to hold fast, when everyone else around you is letting go and making fun of you because you keep holding on. Paul experienced abandonment from his colleagues and close companions, yet had the strength of mind to hold on (2 Tim. 4:9-16). Most people follow the crowd and will not stand alone on anything. We live in a pop-culture. People want to be where everyone else is and do what everyone else is. Where is the strength in that? The path of least resistance is an easy one. Only those of strength and courage can enter the path that is paved with difficulties (Matt. 7:13-14). When Christians come together, they are made stronger. The writer of Ecclesiastes makes this simple point all too well (Ecc. 4:9-11). Coming together, united by a common goal in a display of strength, is not something that is usually frowned upon or disparaged. Labor unions have been praised for decades employing this concept. Families are a prime example of the kind of strength that can be employed when they come together. Teams are noted for united talents for the good of the whole. As a wrestler, Ventura knows all too well the value of double-teaming a stronger opponent. Ventura needs to understand that Rambo was a fictional character in a movie. There are no one man armies. In this, Ventura is disingenuous and even hypocritical. He ran as an independent, yet was dependent upon the Reform Party and its members to be elected. Why can’t he see the value in Christians coming together to achieve their goals?

As a Christian, my intention is not to get into people’s business or meddle in their lives. Just as Ventura spoke to people and sought opportunities to convince them that his vision for the world was right, Christians seek to do the same. That is what preaching the gospel is all about (2 Tim. 4:1-2). We believe in doing battle in the arena of ideas with the hope of convincing as many as we can that what we believe is right. We are willing to endure, ridicule, shame, persecution, affliction, and even death for what we believe. Is that being weak? Yet, we are considered weak because we do not want to engage in unrestrained sex, drug use, and alcohol consumption. Such activities are havens for the weak. It takes strength to resist the natural impulses of the body. To give into enticement is to be over powered by it (Tit. 3:3; 2 Pet. 2:19-20). Let Jessie tell it, adultery, intoxication, fornication, homosexuality, etc., are all strengths that help build character. Joseph, Daniel, Paul, et. al., are people who were characterized by their strength to resist. Yes, Christians are people who want to change lives, not with legislation, but with the influence and power of the gospel and a godly character.

Ventura is wrong! Christians are not weak. Every indication about the lives and character of Christians points to people of strength. Jessie should study the history or Rome and note Constantine’s reaction toward the courage, strength, and integrity of Christians. He realized that Rome was weak and needed the kind of strength that the Christians had for the Kingdom of Christ. The true Christians’ only warfare is with Satan (Eph. 6:12). With such an opponent, the Christian must be strong (Eph. 6:10). Our only battlefield is within the hearts and minds of individuals. Maybe if Jessie Ventura were not so weak himself, he would never have felt the need to try to tear down people of profound faith in what they believe. Only those who are weak can be intimidated by threats. Ventura and his way of life are threatened by the truth of God’s word. Christians, on the other hand are not so threatened (read Acts 4:17-21; 5:28-29).