We are living in a different world. I know people say that all the time, but truly after observing and praying, it’s crystal clear. Particularly with our faith in Jesus Christ, our boldness and courage don’t look the same as it did in the past. When we pray that our girls are bold in their faith, it may look different for them.
I remember growing up and being asked, “If your life depended on it, would you say you are a Christian?” Yeah, it was intense. I know looking back the goal was to teach us boldness in the faith and about persecution that our brothers and sisters in Christ are facing. I believe this concept is vital. Will you be bold in your faith? Will you live in such a way that people know you are a Christian? Will you have the courage to stand up for what you believe?
We are in a time where if you say the wrong thing, you may be set aside socially. We are living in a time where relativism is what people live by. Now, I am the first person to cringe and be confused at big terms, so let’s talk about it. After a google search, this is what it says about relativism. Relativism is “the doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute.” Whew! Okay mama, ministry leader, small group leader, or whoever may be reading this… I know your heart fell just like mine did. Basically, relativism is to believe what you want and do what you want, because everything is subjective according to our culture and nothing is absolute. This what our girls are facing. So, how do we show our girls why relativism isn’t okay?
Let’s first establish… what is truth?
“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” -John 14:6 CSB
Relativism isn’t okay because we know there is an absolute truth. Jesus Christ reminds us, just like He reminded Thomas in this verse. Jesus is the truth. Therefore, we need to filter everything through Him. There is a standard for truth, there is a standard for morality, and we can have confidence in our knowledge of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We must first teach our girls that Jesus is the truth; then, how to shape our worldviews based on Christ alone.
As we go against relativism… what can we expect?
“If the world hates you, understand that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.” – John 15:18-19 CSB
Satan doesn’t have new tricks! Even in the Bible, they were facing relativism, and this was the reminder Jesus gave his disciples. This reminder from Scripture is often a hard pill to swallow. We love to be liked. We love to be loved. We loved to be welcomed, invited, and appreciated. This is our reminder to share with our girls that we are called to love our neighbors, but that doesn’t mean we will always be met with love.
The good news is… The Lord will use us as we speak truth in love.
“ Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” – John 15:20 CSB
Even though our persecution may look different, we must prepare our girls. We may not face death, but we will face losing friends and loved ones. We may face not being invited to every party, brunch, or hang out. The persecution that our girls face will be unique to them, but Christ reminds us that it will happen. Therefore, we must let our girls know it will happen and teach them how to respond. It’s important that we don’t miss the last part of this verse. Even though Jesus tells us that He was persecuted, He reminds us that they kept His word. When we stand up for what we believe with a balance of grace and truth, it won’t always fall on hardened hearts. One day, some will respond to the words spoken through us by the Holy Spirit.
Now, I don’t want to wrap up without this warning. Relativism is easy. It is easy to fall into the cycle of believe what you want to believe and do what you want to do. We weren’t called to easy. This is our reminder to model what we are teaching our girls. Don’t choose easy conversations. Choose to speak on topics from a perspective shaped by God’s Word and deliver it with truth and love. I keep saying truth and love, because it is important for us to send our world changers out reminding them how vital it is to show Christ’s love in our words and actions. Words that tear others down, life-stripping arguments, and social media rants are not the way we can share our faith or speak truth in love.
I thank the Lord that His love isn’t conditional. He didn’t say I love you if… or I love you but… Christ’s love is shown consistently to us unconditionally. As we go out and reject relativism, let us remember to communicate with truth and love as Jesus modeled for us.
Jillian Deaton has a passion for showing people the love of Christ through speaking, writing, and everyday life. She is the wife to second lieutenant Jaxson Deaton. Jillian is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University. She is the author of Powerfully Weak, This is Why, The Four Seasons of Hope, as well as the co-author of A Bigger Purpose. She is passionate about sharing God’s Word with students and women of all ages! She believes no matter who you are or where you’ve been the Word of God is relevant to your life as you strive to live with authentic faith in Christ. Connect with Jillian: Instagram