If We Remain Silent Stones Will Cry Out

“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. (Ezekiel 3:18-19)

We are living in different times due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, this should not prevent us from sharing the Gospel of Jesus while remaining safe. For example, we can blog, share devotions through text messages and on social media. Ministers can continue to live stream Bible studies and sermons. Those who watch on social media can invite others to tune into their minister. We can invite others to attend worship services in buildings following safety guidelines of the Center for Disease Control.

Perhaps most people are familiar with the Great Commission. “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)

When silent evangelism is practiced are we in direct disobedience to God? Does refusing to evangelize make us ineffective as disciples of Jesus? Has the pandemic made us lackadaisical Christians? Matthew 7:21–24, tells us “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.” Is being silent the will of the Father?

Why do some Christians resort to silent evangelism? What are implications of our silence? Is silence denying God’s existence? Could Christians’ silence be construed as hypocrisy? Why do you think some Christians are afraid to share the faith they profess? Could our silence be an act of open rebellion? What other ways can the Gospel of Jesus be safely shared?

Do you know Christians who remain silent about Jesus when they are around unbelievers? Do you think it is a possibility that some Christians actually doubt the Gospel but are too ashamed or afraid to walk away from the Body? Could it be a lack of knowledge and too embarrassed to ask questions? Could it be not wanting to lose unbelieving friends? What other reasons than being ashamed could there possibly be for not sharing the Gospel?

FINAL THOUGHT

In I Timothy 4:16, we are told to take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear them. If we keep silent about the Word of God the Scriptures speaks of stones crying out. Do we want our voices replace by stones? There is a time for silence but not when it comes to sharing God’s Word. Please feel free to share your thoughts.

RELATED SCRIPTURES

Luke 19:40; Habakkuk 2:11; Luke 9:26; Matthew 10:32-33; John 8:21,24