For many believers, college is a make-it or break-it experience of your faith. You will either make the choice to stand up and out for Christ or blend in so much with the secular culture that no one would ever suspect you of being a Christian.
It’s tough, but not impossible to stand up for Christ in college. Follow after the acronym C-H-R-I-S-T-L-I-K-E and discover your ability to stand up for Christ.
C- Choose Christ above all
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).
The college experience is a time for young adult believers to make choices for themselves. The college scene is ripe for those who live in the grey area of the Christian faith. It’s essential to be firm in your choice to follow Christ with all your heart in order to stand against the temptations of the world.
H- Help other Christians grow in their faith
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
All believers are tempted to sin, but not always with the same tempations. Everyone in the Christian faith needs a good support group of other believers. Even if your small gathering of friends come from different denominations—there can be unity in Christ and in supporting one another to keep the faith.
R- Read your Bible in public places
“For the gracious hand of his God was on him…for Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord” (Ezra 7:9-10).
It’s good to have your quiet time for mediation and study of the Bible. Every time you set aside time for God’s word brings a new step in your spiritual growth. It’s also a good idea to read your Bible out in public—not for appearances—but rather as a witness that God’s word will outlast every single book in your college library.
I - Involve yourself in student ministries
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).
Many times Christians find themselves separated and isolated from other believers especially if they attend secular schools. Just as God reserved believers in Elijah’s time (1 Kings 19:18), so there are always other believers around especially in campus ministries. Don’t be afraid to take the initiative and seek out godly friendships.
S- Seek out opportunities to witness
“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:38).
Sometimes Christians are intimidated to share their faith with unbelievers. However, waiting for someone to “ask” about your faith may never happen. Instead of being passive about your witness, you can take the proactive method of diligently asking God to open up opportunities for you to share your faith with those He leads in your direction.
T- Talk openly about your faith
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes”(Romans 1:16).
When you’ve spent quality time with God in prayer and Bible study on a consistent basis—it’s a part of you. Your natural tendencies in conversations will reflect your faith and trust in God. By speaking the truth in love, seeds of truth land in the hearts of many people around you to become spiritual fruit later on.
L- Live out what you say you believe
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26).
There are many spiritual counterfeits on college campuses who profess to be followers of Christ—yet their lives are filled with worldliness and sensuality. In spite of their hypocrisy, be willing to shine the true light of Christ in your words and actions. Just live righteously as you know that God will empower you to overcome the temptations that are common to all college-aged students.
I - Invite unbelievers to special church outings
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).
It’s easy to believe that the biggest “sinners” on campus have no interest in God. Many times those are the ones secretly hoping that God will forgive them of their sins. Be courageous and invite someone who doesn’t believe in God to experience a spiritual retreat.
K- Keep an open dialog with those who disagree with your faith
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter3:15).
No one will ever come to know God because you argued them into the faith. In a spirit of kindness and compassion, reach out with patience to those who are blinded by the devil. The Lord knows everyone’s spiritual trigger and you can trust in Him to give you how to answer others in the right way.
E- Equip yourself in prayer
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).
Prayer is one of your most essential spiritual weapons that will enable you to stand up for Christ on a college campus. The united prayers of other believers both on and off the campus bring up a righteous, united front to the onslaught of the enemy. Keep on praying even when you are discouraged, fearful, or longing to escape—God’s grace is sufficient to keep you in the faith.
Stand Up or Step Aside!
Today is your time to stand up for Christ unashamed and equipped for the struggle. You were born for such a time as this—to be one of the few, but strong in Christ to overcome evil.
Be C-H-R-I-S-T-L-I-K-E everyday!
Article by Crystal McDowell
Crystal McDowell is a writer, speaker, and teacher with a passion to encourage believers to know and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through practical application of God’s word.
Crystal and her husband, Marshall, raise their five children in the Bloomington, IL. As a freelance writer and editor for over 13 years, Crystal has published numerous Christian curriculums for Sunday School and VBS as well as many articles dealing with marriage, motherhood, and relationships. She’s a weekly staff writer for www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com as well as writing her own blog at http://crystalmcdowellspeaks.blogspot.com.
