Comments on: Walking The Fine Line

By: Emil Swift

Emil Swift — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:30:51 +0000

Excellent post. Brings to mind 1Peter 4.11: “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the *oracles* of God. If anyone *ministers* [Gk. diakonea: servant], let him do it as with the ability which God supplies — that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

In these two actions, essentially all ministry of Believers to other Believers (at least) are covered: (1) Serving others through *speaking* and (2) serving others through *deaconing* (or servanthood.)

The point Peter is making here is that whether *speaking* or *serving*, these are to ONLY be done through the Spirit of God — so that it is God Who winds up being glorified.

Which throws the Light on the question about speaking “for God”: speak His words. (Or “deacons”, perform His actions.)

See, we’re not talking about being a “self-proclaimed mouthpiece for God” — we’re talking about being a “God-proclaimed mouthpiece”. He’s telling us that we are to minister (serve) the needs of others by speaking, and that the words we speak are as “oracles” sharing God’s Own Words.

This would seem an arrogant self-aggrandizing effort if Peter weren’t telling us to DO THIS.

But how does one begin to *hear* the words God wants spoken to others?

It’s like our faith: The way we begin to *hear* the words from God that we’re to speak to others as His “oracles” is two-fold: (1) Believe that God has commanded us to be such; and (2) trust that He will reward us with the very Words He’s promised to be on our lips.

It’s a “faith” thing — much like the testimony of Enoch [Hebrews 11], which declares that Enoch was pleasing to God by virtue of his testimony, and so God took him directly to Heaven; and Enoch’s testimony was simple: (1) he believed God existed; and (2) that God rewards those who seek Him.

Same thing is true for us today…

By: Michelle DeRusha

Michelle DeRusha — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:55:29 +0000

It’s such a difficult lesson, isn’t it Kathleen? I know, I’m a blurter, so I’ve learned the lesson the hard way, too. I think the key is in trying to act Godly, rather than relying on speech and rhetoric to convey a Godly message. “Actions speak louder than words,” as the cliche goes.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:35:32 +0000

“so we can walk away knowing we’ve done our job.”

Oh, now there’s a provocative…and very astute…observation!

By: Katrina

Katrina — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:20:57 +0000

I guess I would agree if it’s a subtle verbal evangelism. Because I would suspect that most people don’t like to be told what to do or that they’re wrong. I would suggest that evangelism through sharing rather than bible-pushing is a goal. And learning to recognize when people are open to your thoughts/beliefs. Basically, are you doing it for you or for them? We may think that evangelizing is for them, but most of the time it’s just done in our own self-interest, so we can walk away knowing we’ve done our job.

But of course, all of this is opinion. I’m not trying to push my ideas, I’m just in this for conversation and giving my brain a little workout.

By: Skoteinia

Skoteinia — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 11:17:43 +0000

I don’t agree that evangelism must be verbal — but then I’m not ‘religious’, so maybe I don’t know what I’m on about . I tend to go with the idea that you live the change that you want to see in the world.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:42:43 +0000

That’s a good song for this topic: “cry the Gospel with your life,” it says. Very appropriate. Still, there’s got to be a place for the verbal evaneglism, too… Then again, maybe it’s still evangelization, even if I’m not using the specific words. Points to ponder.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:35:49 +0000

I went to talk to med students last week about life with Down syndrome. My goal is to change the way people view the condition, in the hopes that it will also change the way they present it to parents receiving a diagnosis, in the hopes that it will cause more of them to say, “Okay, maybe we can give this a try.” In that, it’s an unabashedly prolife, God-centered motivation. But I know I can’t go in there using prolife, pro-God language. I’ve found that faith rests well with reason, and that reason can lead people to faith. Some of us are called to evangelize the “weary a word that will rouse them.” I feel like my call is to reach a wider audience…some of whom are not necessarily ready to jump on the bandwagon. It’s a tough thing to do. But somebody’s got to try, right?

By: Katrina

Katrina — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:19:54 +0000

I think you answered your own question…you live it, you show it. I also think you’re already doing it – through your writing. Perhaps you shouldn’t try to be a mouthpiece, rather you should just be. When you are living, being, doing, the work of God, you don’t have to say it.

Do you know that song “Cry the Gospel”? Frankly, I don’t know all the words, but just the title of the song is enough for many hours of pondering. How does one “cry the gospel” or live like Jesus? None of it is black and white. None. There’s another song, a Barlow Girls song, “Grey,” that’s all about this. If you haven’t heard it, go look up the lyrics.

I’m grateful I have parents that instilled in me that actions speak louder than words and being a Christian through my thoughts and actions is more important than evangelizing through words.

By: Ruth Ann

Ruth Ann — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:11:03 +0000

How? You pray, read the Scriptures, listen to wise religious leaders, reflect, and do the best you can. And, learn from your mistakes. You seem to be doing that.

I’m guilty of spouting off religious language to some extent. I do so to be clear with my interlocutors about where I stand. I’m not necessarily trying to evangelize them with my rhetoric, but to give them something to consider.