"Live Out Loud" is a slogan that the United Way is currently using to encourage volunteerism. The idea is to be a volunteer and let others know you volunteers so that they too will be encourages to volunteer. I couldn't help but to think of that when I read verse 11 and 12 of this chapter, "Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others."
Paul was encouraging a life that included working to take care of your needs and living your faith in a way that didn't throw it in others' faces. These new believers were being persecuted and Paul knew that the quiet life, just living faith, without creating a big disturbance would be more effective in building the kingdom of God. People would see their joy and the change in their lives and desire to understand what was the source of their joy and peaceful life.
So what about today? Is that quiet life still the appropriate method or do we need to live our faith out loud? or is there some middle ground?
When I consider the quiet life, I have to wonder if people will just not notice? Perhaps some people who we have developed strong relationship will notice, but in today's world, will they ask? This certainly supports the evangelism theme of make a friend, be a friend, bring your friend to Christ.
When I consider a faith life lived out loud, I see visions of some of the revival movements that have popped up around the country. Certainly these have born fruit...and have caused damage to the kingdom. When a person lives their faith out load and retains a righteous life, there can be a tremendous impact. I think about the Billy Graham Crusades and the many that were touched and changed. The problem is that when that person loses sight of the righteous life, or promotes an idea/information that doesn't reflect the truth of scripture, there can be terrible consequences. Most recently I am reminded of the huge advertising campaign that claimed that May 21 was Judgement Day.
So which is the life we should be living? I think the only answer I can give is to pray. Only God can guide you in your life path. If he calls you to be a quiet witness, them praise the Lord and walk a path of righteousness and if God calls you to "live out loud" before the nations, that praise the Lord and walk a path of righteousness. We have certainly seen the impact of both of these kinds of life and as we are each created differently and used differently, I have to believe that the answer that is right for you may not be the answer that is right for me. But if you have other thought, I sure would love to hear them!
God bless!
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