Silence is NOT Golden

1 Peter 3:15 - But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 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.

When we think about this scripture or the great commission, we all are quick to agree what our responsibility is to the world around us. We know that sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is what we have been commissioned to do. All too often we try to water it down and say, “Well, I share His love with people around me all the time.” However, when was the last time you told someone how to become a follower of Jesus Christ? Do you even know what you would say if the opportunity would come up?

When I first surrendered my life back to the Lord in 1998, I would share the gospel with a fence post. It just came out of me. I believe it was the pure gratitude that God had so quickly and without hesitation accepted me back as his child that made me so loose- lipped. That was 24 years ago, and sadly, I think that gratitude has faded some, and my lips have become less loose.

Confession time! I cringe as I write this. I used to pass out gospel tracts daily; sometimes several a day. I would buy them in bulk. The last pack I bought has been sitting on my dresser since we moved into our house 6 years ago. The lady that cleans my house called and asked if she could have one, and my heart sank at the realization that she had to dust them off because I haven’t even touched them in so long.

We are smack in the middle of a culture that has conditioned us to keep our mouths shut-in fear of being labeled a hate monger, racist, homophobic, intolerant, or bigot. Gone are the days when we were simply called Bible Thumper or Polly Puritan. Our character is now being attacked. If we stand up for the word of God, we are hated and vilified. This has caused us to stay in our little corner and remain silent. My sister, we were not made to be silent!! Our children, grandchildren, neighbors, friends, co-workers and families need us to get out of the corner. We need to be bold in our faith and what we know is the truth of God’s word.

How do we do that?

1. Bible study. Do a Google search for scriptures to share your faith. Do not try to share the gospel without the gospel. You need to know the word to share it.

2. Common methods of sharing the gospel:

   1. The ABC’s of faith. (https://www.bearcreekbaptist.com/abc-s-of-salvation)

   2. The Roman Road. (https://www.etbu.edu/about-etbu/campus-offices/spiritual-life/roman-road-salvation)

3. Buy some tracks to pass out. This is a simple, non-confrontational method. I have left them with tips at restaurants, put them in shoeboxes at stores, and taped them to gas pumps. (https://www.lifeway.com/en/searchpage.html?prod.dotcom.products%5Bquery%5D=gospel%20tracts)

4. Pray for opportunities and the people you know need a relationship with Jesus Christ.

5. Attend the Apologetics conference at FBC Orange. Apologetics is learning to defend your faith. (https://m.facebook.com/events/317501146945526/)

We sing a song in our church called “You Pray for Me and I’ll Pray for You.” Let’s do that for each other. Pray that we each become bold, burdened and loose- lipped! We have a world around us that is living in fear and anger, and we have the answer. We know how they can live with peace and joy. Lord Jesus, give us the courage to not be silent.