Why the Silence?

We live in our post Christian modern west, where much of what God says to His people is unpopular. We like to be liked. We want to be respected. In our peaceable society conflict is something to be avoided at all costs. We like our comfort - so pain and suffering are things to be managed, controlled and if possible eliminated. We live with an expectation of ease. Seeking this ease it seems we have adopted the nature of the society which surrounds us (or at the very least to stand quietly in it). The good citizen christian has become a reflection of society not Christ. It's easier that way! It's kinder. It's nicer. It's gentler.

The good citizen christian has come to accept the mantras of ease - everyone is entitled to their own opinions! Live and let live! Go along to get along! Never speak of money, sex, politics or religion! All Gods are equal. Separation of church and state means Christian values are not applicable to public discourse and decisions. Jesus has no place outside the home and church building. This all somehow seems OK; reasonable even. But then we realize that bit-by-bit living by these social mantras puts us in opposition to Jesus. Adopting these stances strips away the essence of what it is to be a Christ follower - a Christian. As the Christian wakes up and seeks to live their "yes" to Christ they are branded radicals, haters, judgmental, narrow minded and bigoted. As the Christian lives in Christ we are persecuted through ridicule, prejudice and marginalization.

Perhaps this is why God has given us a wonderful gift in the voice of the Martyrs? What do we hear echoing from the cloud of witness that has gone before us? We hear the costly witness of Jesus Christ!

One such story is that of Perpetua - a young mother who keeps her diary as she approaches her witness in the Roman Ring with a Joy found only in Christ. (read her story here) It is one of the oldest known writings of a Christian woman.

the Martyrdom of Perpetua

There are very popular, accepted secular ideas that Christ followers are called to engage. As they are engaged we are confronted with harsh questions and rebuttals. Christ's answers are so often challenging and contrary to political correctness, to our own human natural reason and to social enlightenment. Saying what Christ said too often brings slander, exclusion, abuse, ridicule, discrimination and even hate upon us; too often we suffer the breakdown of valued relationships. More than once people have laughed in our face; more than once they've yelled; more than once we have been spat at. "Who are you?" "What century do you live in?" "You are a narrow minded, self righteous bigot." "People like you are the worst part of Canadian society." Yet all this pales amidst the echoes of Martyrs gone before us.

Martyr. Greek: μάρτυς [mártys]. It is a word whose English meaning has been broadened in recent years, but the origin of the word referred to those Christians who suffered and were persecuted for their Christian witness. The Greek is literally "witness." So, it is interesting that the word μάρτυς, martyr,"witness" came to be so closely associated with the persecution and torture and murder of the Christian witness. It seems that witness for Christ and persecution have always walked hand-in-hand. Our faith is, and has always been costly.

This week the Anglican Communion disciplined through sanctions the Episcopal Church of the USA. The media and enlightened academic push-back was sadly predictable. The "Third World" Archbishops are archaic, backward, judgmental, simple, narrow minded and bigoted in their thinking which lacks the sophistication of the west; they should be thankful for the God given vocation of the Episcopal Church to yet again lead them from their darkness.

We speak of Martyrs today to remind us of the costliness of the witness which has gone before us; and of the costliness of the witness which lies ahead. We are called by Christ to add our voice to the echo of the cloud of witness which carries from us here and now forward to the end of the age. Say what Christ said, tell what Christ did and teach them to obey all that He commanded.

Jesus did warn us: "If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you do not belong to the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you." John 15

Being Christian is costly - it is the price we accept in giving our yes to Jesus and accepting baptism into His Church.

Can we just stand quiet? Can we leave this witness to others? Can we just mind our own business?

Obviously not!

"But If we die with [Jesus], we will also live with Him. If we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will also deny us." 2 Timothy 2.