The Silence of the Lambs

Controversy…the truth is...very few of us enjoy it. We would much rather fly under the radar than become a target. And yet somehow along the way we have convinced ourselves that silence is better than speaking. We’ve persuaded ourselves that many Christians are brash and unwise in what they say, while at the same time we’ve convinced ourselves that it is best to say nothing at all. In our minds, to speak about any number of moral matters in a public venue may appear uncharitable and un-Christian and certainly not 'grace-filled.' After all, to speak is to voice an opinion, and to voice an opinion…well, these days...in many folks’ mind, it’s just not the 'Christian' thing to do.

 

I’m particularly intrigued by the Apostle Paul’s approach. I find it curious that his ‘I’m not ashamed…’ of Romans 1:16 is followed by a list of behaviors that God condemns in Romans 1:18 and following. Perhaps Paul knew something about the correlation of shame and not speaking up...both for the power of the gospel to save, and for a world at odds against God himself. This is a strange environment we live in where we’ve somehow decided that we want to be faithful to give the good news of the gospel without telling anyone why they need it. 

 

Our forerunners in the faith had a bit to say about this as well. Zacharias Ursinus, one of the primary contributors of The Heidelberg Catechism, made this pithy statement in the sixteenth century regarding the importance of speaking up. He said, ‘Undue reservedness is to dissemble the truth....’ In other words, not saying something when we should say something is akin to telling a lie. 

 

In some instances, silence may be golden, but silence is not the gospel way, nor is silence Christ’s way. Jesus could have adopted a ‘go along to get along’ mantra and saved himself much grief, and he likely could have saved himself the cross. However, declaration and proclamation are to be part and parcel of the Christian life. When the authorities, both religious and political, attempted to shut down the courageous proclamation of the newly formed Christian gatherings in the Book of Acts, it’s interesting that of all they could have prayed for, they prayed for boldness to speak.

 

As Christians it is incumbent upon us to say something. We are to declare that a real Jesus saves from real sins and in this declaration we must not be ashamed. We must be willing to speak because the future depends not only upon the efficacy of God’s Lamb, but also the unashamed words of our testimony (Rev. 12:11). Christian friends, someone needs to hear what you have to say. Someone needs to hear your story and to hear about God’s power to save, and it’s both your privilege and your duty to speak up. 

- DJM

June 4, 2024