Articles
Being Bold in Faith
You’re driving down the road and see a group of Christians with a megaphone and holding posters. The person on the megaphone holds a Bible in one hand and shouts, “GOD LOVES YOU!” while the posters say, “REPENT”, “YOU’RE LOVED”, and “PRAY AND BE THANKFUL”. The Japanese word “meiwaku” is used for an annoyance, inconvenience, or something that “disturbs the peace”. Many people in the world consider acts of faith to be annoying, especially such big public displays like the one listed above because they are contrary to their beliefs and wants.
Jesus told His disciples in John 15:18-20 (NIV), “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”
The world will try to convince the faithful that acts of faith should be shied away from. It will even use threats of retaliation, persecution, and shame to persuade God’s children to be fearful of exemplifying faith. This can be a reason why in John 16:33 Jesus encourages the faithful with, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Reading Jesus’ words isn’t going to take the feeling of fear completely away, but they will inspire us all to have the courage to act on faith despite them.
This is not to say that those who love God should all take to the streets with megaphones, Bibles, and posters. Even if the message is a loving one similar to those above, not everyone is able to do that and in some cases can even incite trouble rather than make peace. 1 Corinthians 12:4 reads, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” Each person is given different talents and opportunities to demonstrate Jesus Christ’s example and spread God’s word. Also, being bold doesn’t have to entail taking to the streets and shouting God’s message. Sometimes a big impact can be had by sending a card, writing God Bless as your email signature, and praying at a restaurant before eating. Colossians 4:5-6 reads, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
