“If our gospel is veiled, hidden, it is veiled to those who are perishing.” 

2 Corinthians 4:3

I want to begin this post by giving credit where credit is due. Thank you Dean Poling for posting an article on Facebook that has really got me thinking, and I want to use it as a springboard for a discussion on talking about things that no one else will. Here is some of what his post said,

“Charlie Brown Christmas was presented on ABC tonight, but back in 1965, CBS aired it for the first time. It continued on the network from that time until around 2000 when ABC picked it up. Back in 1965 CBS had a few reservations with the special, one being, Linus quoting scripture, (Luke 2:8-14 KJV)  when explaining the true meaning of Christmas.

Charles Schulz stuck to his guns. He was quoted as saying (of scripture being quoted) “If we don’t, who will?” The Bible was important to Schulz and he worked it into many of the specials and strips.

…When Linus speaks, the whole scene changes with him on stage, and the light directed towards him – as to bring the viewer to pay attention to what ‘Christmas is all about’. This no doubt was what Schulz had planned – to get the point across.”

I think the key idea to note here is what Charles Schulz said, “If we don’t, who will?” If Christians don’t celebrate and declare the wonder of the Christ child, who will? 

But herein lies the problem: I have found that a large majority of Christians don’t want to declare the things they believe because they don’t want to be seen as an embarrassing irritant or imposition on our culture. As a result, most believers in our amazing God and his wonderful Son shut their mouths and stay quiet when they and they alone are the ones who actually care about what is true.

I find that I am more muted about the wonders of Christianity as compared to my earlier days of new belief. Maybe it is because I am a pastor and I want people to see me as a regular rational person first that keeps me more hushed than normal. I am not sure, but my initial blue fire of belief has been cooled over the years resembling the yellow flicker of a soft candle. I would rather be a nice guy than a passionate standard-bearer. I want to be liked.

That is why Dean’s post has hit me so hard. If I don’t speak up, one who has been trained to declare the Gospel, who will? And I ask you, the Christian reader who knows the story inside and out, who has tasted the life of the Spirit, who has been given a hope and a future; if you don’t say something why would anyone else?

But when we do remain silent so as not to offend or cause problems, the message ceases to speak. If we don’t declare the truths we so dearly believe, no one else will. 

No one else will! 

Scripture has much to say about our role as gospel communicators, here are just a few:

1 Corinthians 4:1 – “People ought to regard us as servants and messengers of the secret things of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 – “We are Christ’s Ambassadors who are to implore people to be reconciled to God.”
2 Timothy 1:11 – “We are appointed as heralds…”

What is a herald? Someone who stands at the city square and shouts the news that they heard directly from the mouth of the king. That is a daunting task, is it not? Some of you are asking, “So should I become a nut and stand on the street corner and scream at people?” No, that is not what I am saying. You still need to speak in a grace-filled way where people will at least give you a hearing, which takes relationship and goodwill to do that. But when you finally are given an opportunity to speak, take it! That is my point.

We will never force people into the kingdom by antagonism and irritation (see 2 Timothy 2:23-26). But it is just as true that we will never bring people into the kingdom by saying nothing, the gospel is meant to be communicated. 

I think there are three issues that we as Christian heralds have the responsibility to talk about. And it is not politics or the next best diet plan. It is concerning those things no one else will discuss if we shut up.

(01) Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the only option for salvation and deliverance from sin (see Acts 4:12). This is called the “uniqueness of particularity”. When you tell people Jesus is the only option they will quickly counter by saying you are being “arrogant”, “uncaring”, “exclusive” and “rigid”. But the truth is you are simply following the uniqueness of particularity. Would you call a scientist arrogant if they actually found a cure for cancer but they also insisted that you take the prescribed medicine that was found to cure it? No, you would buy it for all your loved ones without question. And if it actually worked wouldn’t you tell the world? Of course you would. Because the “particular” cure is found, everyone has access to the cure. It is not “rigid” or “exclusive”, the uniqueness of particularity makes it available to everyone! But let’s say I am a quack who found a fake cure that wants to make money without providing results, and I called the people who promoted the real cure “arrogant” and “uncaring” you would think I am mad. And yet we give credit to people who worship elephants with six arms and are kind to Muslims who have completely rearranged and warped the Jewish and Christian texts to suit their own false beliefs. But somehow, I am the cruel one for pointing out that Jesus has come to rescue the world with his particular perfect atoning work on the cross.

(02) Peace with God is through FAITH ALONE, believing only in the finished work of Christ on the cross to satisfy God (see Romans 5:1 & 8:1). Some people who claim association with the Christian faith will say that “faith alone” is too easy, too simplistic. You need to add to faith works of righteousness in order to merit or earn God’s complete approval. Works of righteousness could include actions like regular tithing, serving the poor, staying sexually pure, going to mass or Sunday service, saying your daily prayers, and participating in all the feasts of the church calendar. But tell me, how can you improve upon what Jesus already did on the cross? Was his death not enough to satisfy the Father? And if you say that your work adds to his perfect work, who do you think you are? How in the world can you ever think that (1) Jesus didn’t completely bridge the gap? And (2) that you can bridge the gap? Jesus is perfect in both his essence and ability, you are both weak and sinful in yours. I have found that the hard part is not the believing, but the letting go of my self-importance as if God needed me to help him make me acceptable before him. When I think I am needed to participate in my salvation, I don’t understand salvation at all. A drowning man cannot help himself from drowning.

(03) The Bible is God’s life-giving testimony and it is sufficient to supply what I need to grow to full maturity in Christ (see 2 Timothy 3:15-16 & 2 Peter 1:3-4). You want to really know Christ? Read, study and obey the Bible. You want to know what God requires? Read, study and obey the Bible. You want to be ready for the day of death? Read, study and obey the Bible. You want to be innocent before Heaven’s tribunal? Read, study and obey the Bible. Look at what Jesus says in John 12:48, “There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.”

So, if you don’t tell people these things, who will? No one, because they are controversial and explosive. These things divide families, but they are still true. That is why you need to say something!

There is a famous saying by Saint Francis of Assisi, the man who would preach to birds and animals, that says “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” Oh, it will always be necessary to use words because that is the nature of the Gospel, “Good News” is meant to be declared with words.

So go tell everyone the news that the Kingdom of God has come!