The Denial of Silence

Let's face it:  the world has never been keen on Jesus or His followers.  But Jesus never painted a rosy picture of what it would look like following Him.  He spoke of denying oneself, taking up your cross, and being crucified!  Jesus bluntly told His disciples in John 15:18-20:  "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember the word that I said 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 keep yours also."  But this is not bad news, for God richly rewards those who walk in faith and obedience to Him.  Jesus also said in Luke 6:22-23:  "Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. ²³ Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets."  When persecuted for being hated, excluded, reviled, and being called evil for Christ's sake we can rejoice.  This does not provide a license to be unkind, harsh, or hateful towards others.  If people avoid or hate us because we are self-righteous jerks, that is nothing to rejoice over.

Many Christians experience social and political pressure to keep their beliefs silent, as if stating a belief based upon the Bible would unfairly "impose" on others.  The truth is, speaking the truth can lead to all sorts of trouble and persecution for Christians, even when spoken from a compassionate heart of love.  It can lead to being passed over for promotions, being ostracised by family or friends, being singled out, bullied or verbally or physically attacked, and yes - even being crucified.  But this should not cause us to bottle up the love for God, other people, and belief in His Word from public view.  Christianity can never thrive in a test-tube of isolation, but spread like a life-giving antidote for the virus of sin through personal contact in communities, in the shops, the workplace, family gatherings, and even when visitors come to church.  Church gatherings should not be seen as the primary place ministry is accomplished, but more like a relaxing lunch break during a hectic day at work.

Jesus did not caution His people to confine their faith or beliefs within their little group:  He sent them out.  He told them to go into all the world and spread the Gospel and make disciples everywhere, teaching and helping others to follow Jesus faithfully.  If Christians retreat from the public sphere, how will people know the truth of the Gospel?  We play the hypocrite to bow to political correctness instead of remaining obedient to Christ.  If we are silent when God commands us speak, how can we be certain Jesus will speak for us?  Jesus said in Luke 12:8-9, "Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. ⁹ But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God."  As followers of Christ, we are to acknowledge Jesus as LORD by our obedience to His word.  Our silence and disobedience are ways we can deny Christ.  Peter denied Christ three times, but his life later showed he truly loved and followed Christ to the death.  If we only profess Christ before Christians because we fear crucifixion, we are not following Christ as we ought.

So you speak up in defense of scriptural truth and lose your job.  So you are punished or persecuted for doing what is right.  So you end up being crucified!  Rejoice, for great is your reward.  God's grace is yours today, and He will supply all your needs now and forever.