I Can't Be Quiet

No, not in that "I'm talking and I can't shut-up" kind of way, but stick around, you're bound to come across that here from time to time! ;-) A different kind: 

"To them we did not yield submission even for a moment, that the truth of the Gospel might continue to be [preserved] for you [in its purity]." Galatians 2:5 (Amplified)

Here, Paul is talking about some "false brethren" who had slipped into their midst who were basically trying to oppose the work of the early church.

As my eyes scanned this verse a few mornings ago, I noticed that I had already underlined it previously. I read it again, kept reading, then paused. I thought, "why did I underline this?" I went back over it, and then the meaning was glaringly obvious.

I live in a culture, where every place I turn, someone is contradicting Jesus' life, death, burial and resurrection. Someone is refuting the Word of God. People mock other people who know and follow Jesus. I see it on social media nearly every day. People post things as if to shake their heads and say, "silly Christian!" If you don't know what I'm talking about, just venture onto any kind of mainstream website any time they feature an article about anything to do with faith...then scroll down and read the comments. It doesn't really matter what it's about. As long as it portrays Christianity, Christian people, the Christian church, or Christian ideals in any kind of positive (or even neutral) light, and there are bound to be some troll-ish people hanging around in the comments.

I really shouldn't read them, but I do on occasion. It makes me painfully aware that there are many people who would do away with Christianity altogether if given half the chance.

This is the culture in which we live. The ones who don't reverence God, are the ones who seem to be the most outspoken. When those who do love God speak out, or live their lives in front of others to be a witness, it soon seems like everyone jumps on them to squash their "hate and misguided views." Seeing things like this sometimes makes me want to not share my faith lest I be labeled and judged. I don't want people to think I'm "hateful" or a "bigot" or any other thing that Christians today are accused of.

But...I can't be quiet. I cannot "yield submission" as Paul says. I must let my light shine before men. The Gospel must continue to be preserved for those who haven't yet accepted Christ. To neglect that would mean selfishly hoarding the truth and freedom found in Jesus for myself. I'm so glad that so many others were obedient to preserve the Gospel!

I must speak, and this blog is just one way for me to speak.

I'm well aware of the "numbers" that my blog reaches, but I can't see the people on the other side of the screen. I can't possibly know every single person who happens upon this site. But even in it's own tiny way, this blog perpetuates the Gospel. Like a small pebble in a large body of water, it makes a difference (I'll leave it up to God to make it a bigger difference). Yielding submission would mean fists full of tiny pebbles jammed stubbornly in my pockets...and somebody, somewhere, never reading the words that God might use to change their life. I don't know how God will use me, but I must be available for Him to decide.

What about you? How are you making yourself available to preserve the Gospel?

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