The story goes something like this:
Michael, a father of three, decides to take his kids to the County Fair for a good time. Once there the family goes on a few rides, plays a couple of carnival games, sees the animal exhibits, and after awhile is ready to leave. On the way out Michael and his family are walking next to a dad and his son. The son is, presumably, misbehaving and the father seems to be reprimanding him for it. As they continue walking the dad becomes increasingly physical with his son. In fact, not after long the physicality has moved beyond a reasonable reprimand to something more akin to abuse.
Michael has been watching the scene unfold and can no longer sit idly by as this young boy is being beaten by his dad. Michael walks over to the dad as he is reeling back for another swing at his son. He grabs the dad's forearm and sternly says, "That's more than enough. I'd thank you to stop doing that. But if you have to hit someone to feel like a man, you're more than welcome to hit someone your own size, like me." The father, in utter shock at the scenario, staggers back and sizes up Michael before yelling, "What makes you so bold to think that you have the right to tell me how to discipline my son?!"
The issue is boldness. The question is: at what point do we, as believers, stand up and boldly proclaim, "Jesus is Lord!"? Many evangelicals hold to a theology of evangelism that is so focused on living out the Christian lifestyle that it neglects the necessity of proclaiming the Gospel too. Certainly, both things are important. And we should not easily excuse ourselves from either of the two. Nor should we so overvalue one that we neglect the other.
In this case, boldness refers to a dynamic proclamation of the truth of Christ Jesus that may make others uncomfortable. Although this may strike some as obstructive or offensive, because it is our reliance on the Gospel that ensures our very life, we should be only-too eager to share the Gospel. Therefore, if we truly love others we need to preach the Gospel to those who would otherwise never know of it.
The common response to such boldness is to make a case for living it out or walking the walk, as in, people will know the Gospel by the way we live. And while there is merit to this proposition it is useless unless we accompany that lifestyle with a sincere Gospel presentation. Consider that there are many unbelievers who live far more moral and far more Christian lifestyles than most Christians themselves do. What is the difference then? Although "walking the talk" is necessary and valuable, living like a Christian is not enough on its own to encourage others to learn about Christ. Nor is the Christian lifestyle salvific in itself apart from the content of Christ.
In reality, the Gospel is not primarily a lifestyle. It is a theology that encourages a lifestyle; it is a relationship with the Holy Lord who, by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, informs our lifestyle. However, the lifestyle is not enough. In truth, living the Christian lifestyle without holding on to Christ will end up in eternal damnation just as surely as living a sinner's lifestyle without Christ will too. The Gospel is the good news about Christ Jesus, that He has, by His blood shed upon the cross, reconciled the severed relationship between God and man, and now, by faith, believers can enter into that restored relationship.
The content of the Gospel needs to be proclaimed. Not just by those who may have the spiritual gift of evangelism but by every believers whose salvation is made sure and secure in the blood of the spotless lamb, Christ Jesus. Paul, Jesus, and John all point to the necessity for believers to boldly proclaim the Gospel (Matt. 10:33, 28:18-20; Mark 8:38; Rom 1:16; 2 Tim 1:8-16; Heb 3:6, 11:16; 1 John 2:28). This is not just a suggestion, this is a requirement of faith in Him.
Thinking back to the story of Michael. It was not enough for him to be an example of a loving father, for when push came to shove he had to proclaim the truth to the abusive dad at the threat of being offensive. In a similar manner, it is not enough to exemplify Christianity in lifestyle, we also need to be bold in declaring the reason for our confidence. Let us then be bold in proclaiming Christ Jesus, because we know the goodness of the Lord is for all people to hear!
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