How to Remain Faithful in a Secular World

Opening Questions

How does one remain faithful (period)?

Is the world really that bad?

Churchy Answers

Regularly Examine Your Faith

2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

How do we test ourselves?

How do we know if we have passed the test?

Should we be looking for fruit of Christ living in us?

Galatians 6:4 ESV

But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.

Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? -

Study your Bible

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV 1900

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

When we focus on self-help books and the news is when we lost sight of God.

What about focusing on Biblical Stories?

Jeremiah

Noah

Esther

Job

Mary

Devote Time to Prayer

Colossians 4:2 NIV

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

How often do you pray?

If you're like many Christians, prayer comes as an afterthought. Perhaps you sneak in a short prayer at the end of a long day or maybe you pray before digging into your favorite meal. What about when you face challenges in daily life? The more you infuse prayer into your routine, the more connected you'll feel to your faith.

Facebook post: “If you’re overwhelmed by the fact that there’s nothing you can do except pray, then my friend, you undervalue your greatest weapon.”

Connect with your Church

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Our goal should be encouraging others to get to work for the Lord.

How often do you discuss your faith with other Christians? Even a brief interaction with a fellow believer can energize you and renew your commitment.

Live or Online? How does connecting work?

Do Acts of Kindness and Service

Colossians 3:23 ESV

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

Galatians 6:9 ESV

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

I have found that when I am busy doing the Lord’s work, it is hard for me to be distracted to join Satan’s side.

Matthew 5:16 ESV

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Even when your coworkers, friends or even family members disagree with your testimony, it's possible to inspire them with your faith-driven lifestyle.

Worldly Answers

Turn off Distractions

Turn off the TV & Internet.

In the workplace, determine to be an example.

1 Corinthians 5:12 ESV

For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?

The outside world will set an example that we are not to follow.

We do not need to be concerned with those outside, we need to be concerned with those inside.

We need to be concerned with our own life.

Our homes are small, boring, etc. when we look at Pinterest.

Our lives seem uneventful when we look at billionaires’.

Our car needs replacing when we park at a nice restaurant.

C.S. Lewis - The Screwtape Letters

Focus

Matthew 14:28–34 ESV

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.

The world is the storm

It is when we get distracted that we sink.

Ultimately

Luke 10:27 ESV

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Love God and let everything else worry about itself.

I think this is the secret to living faithful.

When you are so consumed with your love for God, there is nothing that brings you down.

It takes a very dedicated devotion to live that way.

Atheist shared that they have cheated and been cheated on. Now, they know how it feels and they have been faithful ever since. They are faithful out of love and respect.

This, to me, is a more honest and sincere form of goodness. If the only thing stopping a person from being bad is their faith then they should take a serious look at themselves.

Why are you faithful?

If we are faithful to avoid hell, are we truly faithful?