The Good News is there’s repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ Name for all who will come. And so, the question I would ask The Ecumenical Church Of Deceit (ECoD): “Is it Him you love; or, perhaps it’s the caricature of Christ that you spiritual slackers have created.” Some say: “Well, I witness by my lifestyle of Christian ideals; and that speaks for me. I’m a silent witness.”
But as Dr. Walter Martin (1928-1989) used to say: “Yeah, you’re so silent, no one even knows that you are a witness.” Don’t you know that there are all kinds of atheists, skeptics, and non-Christian cultists who live ethical lives; that really proves nothing. Our word “witness” comes from the Greek word martyr; and no one would have lost their lives for Christ if they had kept their mouths shut.
You know, to hear most “Christ-followers” talking today, you’d think it’s actually our duty to live as comfortably as we can; with the least possible conflict, and then to enter heaven for our “eternal rest.” I ask you; what exactly is it these people will be resting from? Yet even more rest? The fact is, the true Christian life in this fallen world is one of constantly striving for Jesus against the warfare of satanic forces.
~Excerpts from Ken Silva, Apprising Ministries
Exactly.
And to continue with the witness/courtroom notion for a moment, ever heard of a silent witness before a jury? They don't exist. A witness is only useful if they say something. As they used to say, there's so little evidence in most professing Christians' lives that they couldn't be found guilty before a court for being a Christian.
More and more people are using the "silent witness" approach to justify their shame of the Gospel and of the Lord Jesus Christ, by misusing Jesus' words:
Mat 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
They think that means you don't have to say a word, but rather, just do a lot of good works.
That is phariseeism.
It's also taking His words out of context. Consider the verses just before v. 16:
Mat 5:10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Mat 5:12 "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Mat 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
Mat 5:15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
Mat 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Mat 5:17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
Persecution and insults and false accusations are in store for those who are SILENT? How is that even possible? No, persecution, insults and false accusations are for those who PROCLAIM the biblical Christ and the biblical Gospel. If one is silent, how do they know what God you claim to worship? They actually SAY WORDS and others actually HEAR the Good News. Just like the prophets whom they killed. The prophets proclaimed the God of Israel and condemned the false gods and idols so many Jews were worshiping.
Moreover, if we are truly in Christ Jesus, then we are going to obey His commands and strive to live according to Scripture--thus "light" and "salt". To live a worldly life---where no one can even tell the difference between you and a Mormon or you and an atheist---is not doing this at all. It's not being a child of God. It's claiming to know God yet walk in darkness (1John 1:6).
And lastly, good works are defined by Scripture (the Law and the prophets). Things like loving God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength; not lying, not coveting your neighbor's wife or anything of your neighbor's; to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God; to believe and obey His Word.
Things like that.
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