Sometimes I think it would be nice to be a
quiet, dignified, minister here in our cozy Hilo community. I could say nice
things to everyone and always make them feel good.
Any hope of such a tranquil ministry was
shattered this week. I became that "wild man" with the crosses in his
yard. Now I am a controversialist, a political preacher. So some may say.
The gospel is a public message. Jesus hung
stark naked on a cross, in full view of the crowds, to redeem us with his
blood. New Testament preaching was often in public centers like streets,
marketplaces, even the synagogue. Jesus called disciples in their workplaces -
Matthew from his tax office and Peter from his nets. Now, by His Spirit, Jesus
sends us out to the public.
So it is a small thing to for me to put up
a "cemetery" outside my bedroom window for a week, even though I miss
playing ball with my sons. One of our members wants us to boycott stores in
Hilo which sell pornography; even though she may save money on some of their
"sales." In these ways we affirm the public gospel.
Are you a public disciple? The Christian
faith is to be learned in the church then lived out in public. Our
"salt" is for the earth, our "light" is for the world, and
our "lamp" is to be placed high upon the stand. Haili Church, through
the public discipleship of its members, is to be a city set on a hill that
cannot be hidden.
We need wisdom and prayer when and how to
make our discipleship public. Some Christians are so much "in the
world" they have drifted from Christ Himself. It must be with Jesus and
for Jesus that we enter the world as his disciples. His word remains our
standard, in public and private. Not every social issue warrants a public
statement. The magnificence of the gospel can be trivialized. Yet our beloved
nation has "legalized" the slaughter of the holy innocents - 4,000
children are killed daily by abortion. This is not the only public evil, yet
surely one of the most wicked. Christ's gospel is public, He demands public
discipleship.
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