This past Sunday, Jason Mead, one of BridgeWay’s elders, shared these thoughts with the congregation in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk tragedy. They’re important words for a wider audience to hear.
One week a month, an elder comes before the body to talk about what we’ve been doing, what we’re working on next, and about the health of our church.
But this week is different. I’m here in front of you to try and speak from my heart; to speak what God has given to me, and to try and convey that message forward. Because of what happened in Utah on Wednesday, and because the day after was the 24th anniversary of 9/11, a lot of hearts are heavy, mine included.
A brother in Christ was assassinated. He was assassinated for speaking out boldly for saying what he believed was true in the world. That certainly drives an emotional reaction in me, and I suspect in many of you. If you’re like me, that also shocked you out of your normal routines; it’s not a normal day anymore; it’s not a normal week.
So, now what? What do we do with that overflow of emotion, energy, anger, and fear? What do we do with the restless sensation that comes after events like this that says “I have to do something?”
The answer is a simple as it is difficult. Each of us has been called into discipleship with the Lord. He’s called us to be “perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” We have to actively follow and serve Him every day of our lives.
That service starts with the words that come from our mouths. Matthew chapter 12 records Jesus saying, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak”. In order to speak well, then, our hearts must be full…not of the evil and detritus of this fallen world, but with love for one another, with prayer, and with the words of Scripture.
It is not enough for us to sit on the sidelines and resist the temptation to hate those who hate us. Every one of us is called to loving service. Matthew again quoting Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”
Don’t misunderstand me, don’t be fooled. Jesus told His disciples exactly what they should expect for serving Him. He says to them, and to us: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
It’s easy for me to lose sight of a simple fact about Jesus’ ministry: the human reaction, the reaction the world had, to a perfectly upright man, speaking exactly the right words in exactly the right way, was to flog Him with a whip and nail Him to a cross.
Why then should you and I expect no consequences for saying the truth? Are you perfect? I certainly am not. Do you choose the right words and tone for every moment? I certainly do not. So then why do I expect that I have to wait until I have my life in order, and I’ve come to just the right moment, with just the right words, before I’m willing to speak a word of truth to someone else?
No. We have to speak up, knowing that there will be unfair, unjust repercussions. We have to walk in Christ’s footsteps accepting that this will often earn us mocking and scorn. Because one day, each one of us will stand in judgment before our Lord, and we will be called to give an account of what we did with the deposit of faith entrusted to us.
On that day, I pray that each of you hears “well done, good and faithful servant.” We are not followers of Christ in order that we would earn our salvation, a gift we cannot earn. But rather, we follow Him because it is good, it is right, and it is true.