Giving Light

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14–16, NIV 1984).

My Musings – “Have you ever kept silent because what you know to be true isn’t politically correct?” (Cindy Dawson, Real Christian Women). You can read the entire blog here: The Danger of Societal Pressure ‹ Real Christian Women ‹ Reader — WordPress.com. A good post.

I readily admit that I often keep silent. Usually this involves something that I know is sinful but is no longer considered politically correct by the culture. I don’t hide my views if asked, but otherwise I usually remain silent.

Rightly, or wrongly? I don’t know. I don’t know if this is hiding my “lamp,” failing to stand up for the truth, or not. But this usually happens with an unbeliever, when they are so entrenched and passionate about the issue that voicing my views would likely “cancel” any chance of engaging in a real Gospel conversation with them. If it’s a believer, then it’s a different story. We must confront and gently but firmly correct.

I could be wrong, but with unbelievers, I would much rather deal with sin in the abstract. That it is wrong, that we are all sinners, that we need to confess that we are a sinner, that we need to repent of our sins, that we need a Savior because of them, and that Jesus is the One and only Savior. Until we lay this foundation, considering which behaviors are or are not sins is counterproductive. And usually, it takes the prodding of the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth. And time.

But if asked about what I know to be true, but isn’t politically correct, I stand up for the truth. I say “no, this is not right, and here’s why.” But at the same time. I try to “speak the truth in love” with “gentleness and respect,” regardless of how I am treated in return. I must confess, that I am not always successful when that treatment is abusive.

My Advice – Don’t try to “fix” them then save them. Saving is the event (justification), and “fixing” is the process (sanctification). We are all a work in progress when it comes to sanctification.

We don’t need to be apologetic about what we know to be true. But we need not be “in their face” about it either. Because “that is what [all] of [us] were. But [we] were washed, [we] were sanctified, [we] were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11, NIV 1984). Their sins are no greater than mine. Guilty on one, guilty of all.