Revelation 29 - Let the Truth Talk

DAY 28
Let the Truth Talk
Matthew 5:33-37

Yesterday we said that, as Christians, our witness is our weapon. We also said that the Church has no other weapon than to tell the truth about God. But we often fight with other weapons, thinking that the ends justify the means.

We talked yesterday about trying to force the Way of Jesus onto others through the culture wars. Politics is closely connected to culture war. Christians have long been tempted to fight sin and evil with politics. 

Should Christians be politically active? Yes, but we have to be careful about how we’re active and realistic about our goals. We’re just now, in the 21st century, coming down off a power-trip called Christendom, the centuries of history when Christians had social influence and political power in the Western world. 

Some good stuff happened in Christendom, but plenty of bad stuff, too. Many nations were officially Christian and sometimes other religions were outlawed. Christians sometimes demonized their enemies, as they often did with the Jews or native peoples around the world. Christian nations also thought they could use violence to force the gospel onto people, as in the Crusades, Inquisition, and missions into the Americas. But God won’t win over sin by winning the White House. Our WITNESS is our weapon.

Plenty of people have been confused by Revelation. They think violence for God must sometimes be ok when they see the two witnesses breathe fire and toast their enemies. I’ve often heard people contrast the peaceful Jesus of the Gospels with the violent Jesus of Revelation. But Rev 11 is once again talking in symbols. For example, fire from the mouth is a way of picturing the power of God’s truth.

Let’s go closer to home. Are we safe so long as we aren’t marching off in a Crusade? Think about how you use words. Do you use them like a weapon to bludgeon people or do you let the truth of your words defend themselves? Do we feel the need to constantly justify, or “spin,” what we’re doing or not doing? Do you use words to coerce and manipulate people? Argue people into a corner? Get the last word? If our witness really is our weapon, then let the truth of your words stand for themselves. Like Jesus said, “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’”

REFLECT
How do you see Christians use politics to coerce people to their way of seeing things? In what ways are you tempted to use your words to coerce people?

PRAY
Father, you are the lord of truth. You’ve us the truth as our weapon against sin and evil. Don’t let me rely on any other weapon. Amen.