Courage to Speak Truth

10/07/22

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

On September 29, 2022, Dr. John MacArthur, Pastor of Grace Community Church, published an open letter to the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom (link to letter). The letter challenges the Governor’s stance and promotion of evil as an elected representative and civic leader of the State of California. Dr. MacArthur is straight forward and succinct in his approach to warn Governor Newsom based upon Biblical truth regarding the ungodly sanctioning of abortion, sexual immorality and aberrant public policies while enlisting the consequences of using his office to encourage and facilitate such actions.

Although the nature of the letter calls out the evil positions Mr. Newsom has married himself to, the underlying foundation of the letter is the dedication to Biblical truth. While the letter is not directed at Christians, Dr. MacArthur exemplifies for all Christians a conviction that codifies a belief in God’s absolute truths that are universally applicable to all men and transcend the natural world with eternal consequences. It is a call to courageously stand for the truth of God’s Word by all who name the Name of Jesus Christ which inherently dictates we are to stand against the acts that His truth declares as evil.

“SILENCE IN THE FACE OF EVIL IS ITSELF EVIL: GOD WILL NOT HOLD US GUILTLESS. NOT TO SPEAK IS TO SPEAK. NOT TO ACT IS TO ACT.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer or other unknown

Historically, Christians have been slow and even negligent to respond to evil and attacks upon the foundational truths of Scripture by those who would redefine Biblical norms of life. This can be rooted anywhere from a lack of proper understanding of Scriptural truth to cowardliness. The Lutheran Church in Germany in the 1930’s pacified and capitulated to the Hitler agenda resulting in the destruction of a nation and millions of deaths from war and butchery. Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer warned of the evils Hitler and the Nazis would eventually inflict upon the nation, but the Lutheran church failed to act and respond when a meaningful difference was still possible.

Eric Metaxas who authored a biography on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is warning the American Church like Bonhoeffer of 1930’s Germany of the evil that is invading our culture and the time to wake up from our silence and slumber is now.

The battle between good and evil, truth and deceit in our nation is mushrooming before our very eyes. Eventually there will be no middle ground to rest upon for the tenor of the battle will force us to decide the nature of our allegiance. Pastors and Christians alike must decide if they truly believe the Word of God and are willing to speak it courageously while living out what they say they believe.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;   Ephesians 6:10-17

According to Ephesians we as Christians have been given one offensive weapon to use against evil that being the Word of God. It is the weapon Jesus will use to ultimately judge and destroy Satan and evil upon His return. But in the meantime, we have to decide the depth of our convictions, our allegiance to, and faith in Jesus Christ and His truth. Everyone who says they believe in Christ is called to stand for the His absolute truth and live / act accordingly. Be of good courage for He is with us.