Unbearable Lightness

And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.  John 1:5

Light – In a recent message, John Rankin posed an interesting question.  “How often do members of the covenant community make it a policy to tell pagans or other outsiders that what they believe is wrong?”  The answer, says John, is never.  Not once in the entire Bible do believers set a policy of correcting the beliefs of others.  With all of today’s emphasis on the need for debate over beliefs, this fact seems incredible.  Yes, the prophets and the missionaries preach – but almost always to their own communities.  Yes, there are emissaries of God’s word – but usually in judgment.  And yes, we are instructed to make disciples of all nations – but not because we win rational debates.  Our method is the same as the one established by God with Abraham and endorsed by Jesus.  It’s all about the unbearable light.

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that.”  That what?  That they see God and His glory in what you do and how you live.  St. Francis was right (more than we imagine).  We are to preach at all times, and when necessary use words.  God established His people as living examples of His truth, not talking heads.  The light is unbearable when it shines forth – and because it shines forth, the darkness is completely overcome.

So, here’s a little test.  If you never said another word about your faith, would the people around you know that you were a follower of Jesus anyway?  Would they come to you because you bore an unbearable light?  Would your very presence dissipate darkness?  Could you be a Christian today without saying a thing?

Do you see what a monumental paradigm shift is required when we understand God’s point of view?  We love to talk.  We live in a world committed to conversation.  We think that rational explanation is the answer to most everything.  We are people of the head.  But God knows that His children are people of the heart.  They do His will without saying a thing.  They recognize that actions are the banner cries of the gospel.  Imagine how different the world would be if we Christians stopped talking and simply acted like Jesus.  We would set in motion an unbearable thirst to know why we are so different.  The rest of the world would be totally confused.

Oh, yes, and by the way, imagine how much less we would have to deal with issues of pride if we never said a thing.  Humility is a silent language.