Two weeks ago we looked at the sin of silence in not praising and thanking the Lord. This would include expressing our praise to the Lord Himself, but also “bragging” on the Lord as we speak to others. He alone is to be glorified!
Last week we looked at the sin of silence in not praying about everything and interceding for others, as Samuel expressed in I Sam. 12:23.
Have you guessed the next one yet? Here is a big hint: we find clear instruction to speak in Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, and Acts 1:8. Yes, we are to proclaim the Gospel and NOT BE SILENT! Paul proclaimed a woe on himself if he committed this sin of silence: “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!“ (I Cor 9:16) Do you get a sense from Scripture that this is much more than a suggestion? Yes, it is a clear command and must be a priority if we know Christ. Of course, this does not mean that we are the most eloquent proclaimers or we totally understand all the facets of salvation. Nonetheless, we can give out the Good News through His power. I love the way that the blind man continued to tell what Jesus had done for him: “One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”(John 9:25b) Furthermore, we can proclaim the Gospel in many creative ways, such as through Bible distributions, tracts, plays, movies, and even calligraphy. According to Romans 10:14-15a, “sending” is another way to be involved in Gospel proclamation. “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?“
Finally, the Lord’s message to Ezekiel 3:18-19 certainly applies to us in warning others of the coming judgment of God and the Good News of deliverance through Christ.
“When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.”
Let’s not be guilty of keeping our mouths shut, but instead ask for His help and creativity in spreading the “Good News”!