Through centuries of observing nonresistant practices, accepting frugal life styles, and refusing to enter government roles, the Mennonites by enlarge have become known as a quiet people. We are not found on the front lines of the battle field, few among us choose jobs that require a large amount of education, and we are definitely not in the halls of Parliament adding our ten cents to the discussion.
We are quite literally a "quiet people". As long as we are allowed to live our life in the way that we believe Christ has called us to, we are happy to remain silent and content in our corners.
Yet, that brings me to the question, "Is there such a thing as being too quiet? Could it be that in our quest to be a quiet, nonresistant, and submissive people, we have become passive as well?
As I study the lives of the early apostles and martyrs, I sense a boldness and passion that I find hard to spot today. They stood up in front of crowds, spoke to kings, and preached direct messages of conviction to guilty parties. They were unafraid of confrontation, conflict, and persecution if needed to further God's Kingdom. Their view was much much bigger than their comfort or personal advancement.
I believe some of us have slipped into the trap of thinking that the world can see Jesus if they look at us so why speak about Him. We live law-abiding, obedient, helpful lives, so our neighbours should understand the Gospel by watching. Right? I would like to insert here, that few of my students have learned how to do math simply by watching me do the problems over and over. Learning goes much faster and makes way more sense if I explain problems in detail alongside my demonstration.
As in the example of the math problem, demonstration is important. The way we dress, how we relate to neighbours, and how we do family life should speak freely of the grace that has changed our lives. However, if the world never receives an explanation for the reason behind our choices, then we have not shown them the true life-changing core of Christianity.
The North American world at large is preaching an "everybody matters - everybody is accepted" message. As Christians, it is extremely easy to buy into the pressure of this thought pattern and to begin ignoring sin and its consequences. We treat people with soft, easy "love" that walks them straight into hell. Jesus never downplayed or ignored sin. He preached repentance. True forthright repentance. He cared so desperately for the sinners around Him that He was willing to speak up and suffer the consequences.
Jesus told His disciples to proclaim on the rooftops what they heard whispered in their ears and to speak what they heard at night in the day-time. The Christian Gospel cannot and must not be retained. If we believe that speaking the Gospel was only for the disciples centuries ago or for certain "called" people in our churches, how is the Kingdom of God supposed to expand and grow? Who will tell your neighbour if you don't?
I believe in our time period it is crucial that men and women stand boldly and unashamedly on the Truth, heralding it clearly in a confused and lost world. We live in the midst of a rising generation of Bible-illiterate individuals. If we have the Light, we ought to shine it into dark places. God has given us His Spirit of power to proclaim His message to the nations. If we are silent, we are disobeying His mandate.
As a Christian people, we need to be filled and overflowing with the love that transforms lives and hearts. We need to be filled with the Spirit that moves and changes the hardest of situations. We need to be concerned and praying diligently for the lost around us. Then, we will begin to see revival and change all around us.
The Gospel was so expensive and is so life-changing that we owe its words to the Saviour who died for us and its life-giving power to the lost beside us. 💗
Amen to this! This world needs more bold Christians who are not afraid to speak even when confrontation happens.
ReplyDeleteAmen!
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