Speak up? Or shut up?

Someone in my family has good news, but she told me, “Don’t tell anyone yet, until it is official.” 

It’s not easy to sit on her good news. I want everyone to know. Yet am I like that with the good news about Jesus Christ? Or do I sit on it? Could I learn something from the shepherds who were the first ones to hear it?

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Luke 2:10)

When I hear something that sounds too good to be true, my nature is to check it out. Is this wishful thinking? Some sort of fraud? Overblown? After years of checking out many things and being disappointed, I’ve concluded if something sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true. 

The shepherds may have been skeptical too. After an explanation and seeing a host of angels, the shepherds could have wondered if they were dreaming. They decided to check it out before telling anyone what they heard and saw. Perhaps they didn’t want anyone to think they had made it up or find out later that they were wrong. So after “the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’” (Luke 2:15) They were not disappointed.

And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:17–20)

I notice two things here. The shepherds were told this news was for everyone so as soon as they checked it out, it was “made known.” They did what they were told and those who heard it marveled at what they said.

But Mary had not been told to tell everyone. Even though she treasured the good news, she pondered what was said in her heart, not saying anything to anyone, at least not at that time.

As for me, I’ve checked out the good news of Jesus Christ. I know it is true and I know that I am supposed to tell others. However, there are times to be quiet. Jesus spoke of “not casting my pearls before swine” meaning that I should not share with those obviously belligerent to the message. He also said that I must allow the Holy Spirit to put words in my mouth. From that, I conclude if the words are not there, then I must be silent. 

I’ve also noticed that I tend to get this backwards. When I should speak, I tend to shut up, and when I should shut up, I tend to speak. 

I’m not alone in that regard. For instance, Jesus healed a man and said to him, “'See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.' But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town….” (Mark 1:44–45) 

Some Christians talk too much, but most of us are more guilty of being silent when we should speak. We have good news, first shared by the angel to the shepherds, then given to us through the Word of God and the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit. After Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples shared that good news. They were even told by religious authorities to stop talking about Him. By this time, and because they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they knew how to respond and their response is a lesson to me…

So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:17–20)

May I be more like them.

Nothing is too hard for God

Yesterday I read an incredible description of the size of the known universe. It began with the distance of the earth from the sun, 93 million miles. Then it said to imagine that distance as the thickness of an ordinary sheet of paper. 

It continued, asking me to think of the distance to the nearest star in those terms. That would be a stack of paper 71 feet high. Remember, each sheet of paper represents 93 million miles. Using that parallel, the next measurement is our galaxy, which is a stack of paper 310 miles high. After that, the description leaped to the outer fringes of my imagination in describing the size of the known universe. It is a stack of paper 31 million miles high, with each sheet representing 93 million miles. The author asks, “Are you getting a headache?”

The intent of this description is to show not just the amazing size of the universe, but also the awesomeness of the God who created it. He merely said, “Let there be…” and spoke it into existence. 

We don’t think about God like that, at least not very often. He, like these numbers, is beyond the grasp of our brains. He can do whatever He pleases. Nothing is too hard for God, not creation, not the management of human affairs, not even the task of reaching the entire world with the good news about Jesus Christ.

The eleven disciples went … into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.… Jesus came and spake unto them saying … Go ye and teach all nations… (Matthew 28:16, 18-19)

At first glance, this command (known as the Great Commission) seems like a task for those who follow Jesus. We have been told to go and teach others what God has taught us. However, anyone who is a disciple of Christ knows that even this is impossible without the power of the Holy Spirit. I cannot teach anyone about Jesus because spiritual truth is hidden from people who do not have His Spirit.

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

For example, when Peter correctly identified Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17) 

God showed Peter the identity of Jesus Christ. God showed me the same thing. God reveals spiritual truth, not human reason, insight, intelligence, or even a good sermon. Paul gave the same testimony.

For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11–12)

As for passing on to others this revelation, in ourselves we are helpless. When Jesus gave the Great Commission, it was like telling sighted people to explain color to those born blind. As much as it is clear to those who see and believe, the gospel is not clear unless God opens hearts and reveals it.

How is this relevant to the awesomeness of God? When I read about the immensity of His creation and think about His power, then my stress about all things vanishes. Who can outsmart God? If He touches any person (like He touched me) they will fall on their knees before Him. When God reveals our sinfulness and our need of Jesus, we cannot resist agreeing with Him no more than we can condense the distance to the nearest star.

Lately my prayers are filled more with worship than they are with requests. When I ask God to reveal Himself to someone walking in spiritual darkness, I have no doubt that He can do it. I do not need to nag Him with my worries that this is too hard because, for God nothing is impossible.

Shining for God’s glory

My husband’s spiritual gift is administration. While he does not seek places of leadership, he often winds up there. At one meeting after this happened, I was speaking with a person who had never met him before. When I mentioned that he was usually asked to chair meetings or be the leader, she said, “That is because he is so good at it.”

Any spiritual gift, any quality or grace from God, is supposed to be obvious.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14–16)

Sinful human characteristics can be hidden. Con men do it all the time. Whether someone is deceptive or shy, people build layers to keep others from seeing their true nature and intent. For Christians who have Jesus living inside, we are supposed to put off all of “self” and let others see Him, the Light of the world. He has opened our hearts to truth, the love of God and spiritual realities that others cannot see. He tells us to make this light visible, not so we are put on a pedestal, but so God is glorified. 

Jesus demonstrated this goodness and the light of godliness when He forgave a cripple and healed him.

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. (Matthew 9:6–8)

Letting my light shine does not mean I will do miracles or have the authority to forgive sins. Jesus said to “let your light shine” meaning light that God has given me. This is not about being “holier than thou” but about virtue and goodness that flows from submitting to the One who lives in me.

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. (2 Corinthians 9:12–14)

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:12)

This is also not about special occasions. I cannot make excuses that I’m only a housewife, not a pastor or church leader or given special opportunities to share the light that I have, therefore I’m exempt. One of the reasons that God has me writing this blog is that He shows me how faith is practical. It is for daily life that I rely on Jesus, not only the big events, but every event. This means letting my light shine all the time, for the Word of the Lord also says…

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Today appears to be a very ordinary day. I’ve no idea how I can let my light shine, but again, the key word is “let” which means that I have light that God has given me, and I simply must put aside anything that would hinder it (such as having my own way) and let it shine.

Why I should not make promises

The trouble with making promises, even promises to God, is that I tend to forget what I said. While I live by the grace of God and not my own performance, obedience is still important.

A man called Shimei cursed King David. David could have killed him but didn’t. Instead, he told his son Solomon to deal with this man. After David died, Solomon summoned Shimei and told him to “Build yourself a house in Jerusalem and dwell there, and do not go out from there to any place whatever. For on the day you go out and cross the brook Kidron, know for certain that you shall die. Your blood shall be on your own head.” (1 Kings 2:36–37) 

Shimei made this promise to Solomon, now the king, “What you say is good; as my lord the king has said, so will your servant do.” 

 

Shimei lived in Jerusalem many days. But it happened at the end of three years that two of Shimei’s servants ran away… and when it was told Shimei… he arose and saddled a donkey and went to Gath to Achish to seek his servants… and he brought his servants home. (1 Kings 2:38–40) 

Only three years later, he forgot his promise and that by breaking it he would die. How could anyone forget such a thing? This was a serious lapse of memory. Verses 43 tell how Solomon summoned him, challenged him, then had him put to death.

How often have I said to God, “I’ll never do that again” only to do that again? How often have I promised God that I would be a faithful witness or do some other act of obedience only to drop the ball when it was thrown to me? The story of Shimei reminds me the seriousness of making promises. No wonder Jesus said…

Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:33–37)

James repeats the same command…

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. (James 5:12)

The problem with promises is that by making them I assume that I have the power to keep them. Not only that, I also assume I have control over any circumstances that might interfere with my actions. This is folly. I am supposed to say yes or no when asked about anything, but it is sinful arrogance to assume that I can know and do which only God can know or do.

Besides arrogance in my assumptions, there is that problem with forgetfulness. This reveals that I do not take my promises as seriously as God does with His promises. The best I can say about myself is that I am a forgiven sinner, but not one thing God says is rash or assumption. He knows He can keep His promises, but furthermore that He will keep them. He is perfectly faithful, without sin or forgetfulness and His promises are certain because He is God. 

Hidden? Or Hiding?

In the early 80’s we heard of a young man who regularly preached the gospel in a certain park in Southern California. Some were annoyed but others enraged. Those who hated Jesus and the call to repentance decided to silence the messenger. He was murdered. 

Could God have protected this man? Of course, for nothing is too hard for God. However, I’ve had some questions about this particular incident and my own boldness and lack of boldness. Is boldness always from God or can we simply spout off when He wants silence? If this man was bold because of God, did God use it to lead him to his death? 

Are there Christians that God is protecting by not giving them that Holy Spirit boldness? Jesus says never cast our pearls before swine lest they turn on us (Matthew 7:6). If I want to speak out and feel a restraint that is not fear, is that God keeping me from danger? Or am I making excuses for my lack of boldness? Why can some preach without persecution and hundreds are slaughtered each week for doing the same thing?

This morning I read about God’s protection for His Son when Jesus was a small child, likely about two years of age...

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” (Matthew 2:13)

The devotional writer asks questions too. Since Christ is born in me, isn’t my life precious because of the One who lives in me? If so, will the destroyer of souls will try to destroy His testimony by destroying me? I know that Satan tries to prevent me from telling others about Jesus, His forgiveness and the eternal life He offers. God can protect me, for we live in a land that has laws against killing people for their faith or for any other reason. But then I think about that young man… 

God protected Jesus by sending Him with His family to Egypt. In the Old Testament, God’s people were sent to Egypt to protect them from death also. There is symbolism about fleeing to Egypt. Egypt becomes a picture of living in the world, of being just like everyone else and not standing out as a Christian. Is it possible that living in the world could be a God-allowed thing to protect His children? Even if that were so, I know that those who stay there too long will find themselves in a place of bondage. The world is not friendly toward the Son of God or His followers.

More questions. Does God hide His most vulnerable children today? Are there Christians who are hidden in the world because boldness (which is natural for those filled with the Holy Spirit) would bring them to an untimely death? Or is worldliness just an excuse?

I’ve no answers for these questions only that God wants me to speak up in the power of the Spirit and trust Him regarding persecution. The rest of what He is doing is hidden to me. Those who seem to be His children but seldom speak of Him are none of my business except to exhort and encourage them as God gives me opportunity. I cannot make excuses for them or for myself when it comes to lack of obedience.

I know also that there is a day coming when they shall say, “They are dead which sought the young child’s life” (Matthew 2:20). In the New Testament that meant that Jesus’ family was is free to return from Egypt. It also hints that there will be a day, perhaps an eternal day, where those who hate the gospel and reject the Son of God will be no more. When that happens, God’s people will no longer need protection or excuses. We will freely proclaim that Jesus is Lord.