Boldly Proclaiming Christ

It seems like whenever an election comes around, political campaigns tend to focus on flaws in other political parties or candidates.  Sling enough mud, and some of it may stick.  The last time we voted in New South Wales, we were bombarded with television ads, fliers and posters that warned us what people stood to lose or how much costs could surge if voters supported the other party.  Another common tactic I have observed among politicians is when mildly criticised about the weakness of their policies, they swiftly change the subject with earnest to point out the ineptitude of the other party.

When it comes to following Jesus Christ, we are most blessed with only having good things to say about Him.  There is nothing concerning Jesus we need to apologise for or defend, for all He has done and said is wonderful beyond measure.  In sharing Christ and the Gospel we do not need to say how awful other religions are to try to build Him up, for Jesus stands above all other men and gods without rival.  I was reminded of this as I read through the book of Acts and the great tumult that arose because the silversmiths of Diana felt their profitable trade was in jeopardy.

With their livelihoods being at stake due to the spread of Christianity, for two hours straight men of Ephesus who gathered in opposition to Jesus and His disciples shouted, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"  The city clerk finally quieted the crowd, rebuked them for disturbing the peace, and he said concerning Paul and his brothers in Christ in Acts 19:37:  "For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess."  The Jewish and Gentile Christians did not steal the money of the traders in Ephesus nor had they blasphemed Diana.  They did not need to speak poorly of Diana to exalt the name of Jesus!  What was a silver image compared to the Saviour of the world?  All the believers did was proclaim Christ crucified, risen and glorified.

Rather than arguing or being combative with those who refused the Gospel, Paul went to those who would hear him testify of Christ.  Acts 18:6 tells us, "But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."  A similar situation played out in the synagogue in Acts 19:9-10:  "But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. ¹⁰ This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord."  By Paul's bold, faithful preaching, people heard the word of the LORD--not how powerless or worthless the goddess Diana was by comparison.

How good it is for God's people to proclaim our Saviour whom we trust, love and obey rather than speaking poorly of other options.  Should people oppose Christ and become abusive, we are not obligated to lock horns with the obstinate.  When people were not receptive to Christ in Macedonia, Paul went to Corinth and Ephesus.  When they were combative and abusive in a synagogue, instead of debating with the unwilling Paul had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus with all who attended.  As God is faithful, so we can be faithful to freely share of the greatness of our God--and we do not need to malign a soul (or goddess!) to do so.