Some Want Silence – January 28, 2022

And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God.
Isaiah 61:6

Some Want Silence

There is lots of support in the world for silencing anyone who speaks about Jesus and his work. Some people don’t like his morality. Others are offended by his gracious offer of unearned forgiveness. People who simply say what the Bible says encounter skepticism and hostility. Many would prefer that Christians simply remain silent.

But God does not remain silent. His word remains powerful. And he gives a couple of titles to people who speak tell others about him.

He calls them priests. Priests in the Old Testament were honored members of society. They served God at the Temple in Jerusalem by making the animal sacrifices that were a foreshadowing of what Jesus would do—sacrificing himself for the sins of the world. After making the sacrifice for the people who brought the animal, the priest would assure them that their sins were forgiven.

Do not be silent. Assure your friends and your family that their sins are forgiven. Nothing is more important.

The other title that God gives to people who speak on his behalf is minister. God says that when you say what he wants you to, you are ministering to people, that is, taking care of them and their needs. They need to hear that God loves and forgives them. You can tell them that, and you will be named ministers of our God.

There will be pressure for you to be silent. But you can speak confidently because you know that God’s message is powerful.

Prayer:
Lord God, open my lips, that my mouth may declare your praise. Amen.