The Sin of Silence
There is a little verse in James that just rocks me back on my heels each time I read it. It looks sooooo innocent, but MAN does it pack a punch!
Now, I want to tie that in with another concept: Our responsibility to share Christ with a lost world. I know, I know.. thinking about telling someone is, for some of us, scary and intimidating. Its much easier to say or think, "I'll let somebody else do that. Maybe the pastor or some godly super-saint will do it."
But according to James? That attitude is a sin.
We whittle away at fine points of theology. We sit in Bible study after Bible study, accumulating reams of notes. We log in hour after hour of thought and meditation on the Christian life. And don't misunderstand me! I am in favor of each one of those practices! But.. shouldn't those practices lead us somewhere? Shouldn't it ignite in us a passion for our lost neighbor or relative or friend? Isn't the goal to make us more like Jesus, and didn't Jesus love lost people?
At our church, we have many opportunities to learn to share your faith. Coming on second and third Wednesday nights in December, you can learn to "Share Jesus Without Fear." Its a very low key, easy way to learn to share your faith with someone else. The sin of silence is serious business. Don't be guilty of it.
James 4:17 (NLT)
"Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it."
Now, I want to tie that in with another concept: Our responsibility to share Christ with a lost world. I know, I know.. thinking about telling someone is, for some of us, scary and intimidating. Its much easier to say or think, "I'll let somebody else do that. Maybe the pastor or some godly super-saint will do it."
But according to James? That attitude is a sin.
We whittle away at fine points of theology. We sit in Bible study after Bible study, accumulating reams of notes. We log in hour after hour of thought and meditation on the Christian life. And don't misunderstand me! I am in favor of each one of those practices! But.. shouldn't those practices lead us somewhere? Shouldn't it ignite in us a passion for our lost neighbor or relative or friend? Isn't the goal to make us more like Jesus, and didn't Jesus love lost people?
At our church, we have many opportunities to learn to share your faith. Coming on second and third Wednesday nights in December, you can learn to "Share Jesus Without Fear." Its a very low key, easy way to learn to share your faith with someone else. The sin of silence is serious business. Don't be guilty of it.
One thing my husband does when a telemarketer calls, when they have finished and ready to hang up, he asks if he can ask them something, they say yes, and he asks if they are born again. A good way to get a word in.
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