It’s Interesting. We can be so concerned about what others may think of us that it gives cause to be meek and mild regarding sin, or to be low-key and quiet about our faith. How many times have I thought to myself that I should say something, bring up Truth, but don’t because I will be thought of as pushy or weird. Often, I do move forward with talk of Jesus, but often this is only after I have tested the waters and I’m reasonably sure I won’t receive a negative reaction. I am bothered by my lack of boldness in some situations. Perhaps the reader can relate.
Are we as afraid of being offensive to our God as we are to others? I wonder how it would change things in the lives of believers if they were to develop more of the mindset we see in Paul.
Ac 20:24 "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
So what if someone doesn’t like what you believe! I’m not proposing an in your face approach because that may come off as being prideful, and may shut down the conversation before it has a chance to begin. I do believe we need to be genuinely interested and sincere with others. But I am considering that we, believers in general, have learned to be so sensitive to offending others that we have accepted a form of social quietness about God. However, when I read about the lives of the apostles, there is no such consideration.
Instead of waiting upon most opportunities to share the Truth, opportunities were made. People expected that they would hear about God when they saw Paul.
What has happened?! What do others expect when they see us? What kind of conversations can they count on?
Several years ago, a movie titled ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ was released. A word used in that film seems to describe my concern perfectly: Milk Toast. This is how the bride’s Dad described her betrothed. Milk toast, no backbone. Dictionary.com states that a person who is “milk-toast” is an ineffectual, timid person. In my searching, I came across this spelling of the word: Milquetoast, meaning a very timid, unassertive, spineless person. Answers.com explains that this word comes from a comic strip character, Casper Milquetoast, who exhibited the characteristics of being timid, meek and unassertive. Wikipedia says Caspar Milquetoast was a comic strip character created by H. T. Webster for his cartoon series The Timid Soul. This character was given the name Milquetoast as a nod to the popular food prepared in the early 1900’s for children, the sickly and the aging, because of its bland taste and soft texture. The recipe simply calls for toasted bread set in a dish of milk, sometimes sprinkled with sugar and/or cinnamon.
When it comes to the Gospel, or addressing sin, I don’t want to exhibit the characteristics listed above! I definitely want no part in being Milquetoast. Paul says ‘he did not consider his life of any account as dear to himself’. Give me more of that, please!
The translation of Acts 20:24 in the RSV reads, But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Chapter 20 of Acts begins with the reminder of the problems that had arisen because of Paul’s teaching that there was only one God and this was not a god made by human hands. A silversmith named Demetrius would be directly affected if the people began to follow this teaching because his business in making silver shrines would suffer. The concern was not really if Paul’s teaching was right or wrong, it was monetary. If there was no need for idols then there would be no need for craftsmen to make them. The financial likelihood of this group would be in danger. So the whole city of Ephesus was in disorder, led by Demetrius (see Acts 19).
This turmoil did not stop Paul however. In Acts 20, we have record of the Jews plotting against him. Paul recounts his hardships in Acts 20:19 – “serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews”. “Well might the apostle say, he was in deaths often, in perils of robbers, in perils in the city, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils among false brethren.” William Burkitt New Testament
Through all the apostles’ trials and tribulations, imprisonments, and false accusations, the example we have recorded for us is his boldness for Jesus. In Acts 20:20-21 we read that Paul “did not shrink from declaring anything profitable and teaching publicly from house to house, solemnly testifying to everyone of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” And, although he knows afflictions and imprisonment will continue, he is not thwarted in his goal to preach Christ.
The questions, “Why?” and “How?” beg to be answered. I would propose that none of us have ever come close to the rejection and persecution of Paul. Yet we have assimilated several “acceptable” excuses to be much less bold – milquetoast. Look again at Acts 20:24. “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God”.
The KJV of this verse start out with the words, “But none of these things move me”. In other words, no persecution or imprisonment or any kind of adversity whatsoever, keep me from my purpose. Wow, we are given a picture in the heart of a soldier that has a high view of God and sees himself as only an instrument for God’s purpose and glory!
Consider. What keeps you from sharing the Gospel? Is it a concern that people won’t like you? Do you refrain from showing your excitement about Christ because others will be turned off or think you’re weird? Is it possible to take your faith too seriously? I’m not promoting the idea that everyone should become a political activist, I’m not suggesting we hold large signs and stand on the corner of a busy intersection, but what about just bringing up the subject with your words? What have you got to lose? Sure, some may roll their eyes but you just might encourage a lost soul to look at the only One who can truly help them find their way. I wonder if the apostle Paul even considered his own comfort in sharing Christ…
We have to ask an additional question. How do we address sin in ourselves and in others? Do we measure our actions and thoughts according to the world around us, using what is acceptable as our scale? Or, do we see sin clearly from God’s truths and take action to put off behavior that is inconsistent with being a child of God?
I was in a conversation with someone who had been struggling with the battle of a specific sin. They had come to the resolution that it would just have to be okay to allow this behavior in their life because the thought of doing without was too much to ask. They assured me they loved Christ and were desiring to live for Him, just not in this one area. The thought that God would ask them to deny themselves this one pleasure for the rest of their lives was difficult to accept. Can we serve God wholeheartedly and still choose to live in sin? This was a difficult interaction but the answer is so clear. We are to honor God in all things.
Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. (KJV)
Ga 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Ro 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts,
No amount of negativity thwarts Paul’s mission to proclaim truth. His own life is not held as valuable as the message he has been commissioned to preach. His own desires are not what he lives for. He says his life is not ‘dear to himself’. He honors God; the message of Christ is more precious than his reputation. Do we care more about what others think of us than what they think of God?
Why does Paul make the statement, ‘But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself’? He goes on to explain his thinking as we move through the verse. Acts 20:24 continues, ‘in order that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus’. So if his own consideration of his life gets in the way with the ministry he has in Christ, then he chooses to uphold his mission above himself. You want to just be a cheerleader for Paul, right! But maybe, we want to be more than cheerleaders on the sideline, maybe, we want to be on the squad, in the game.
How is Paul able to do this? How are we able to have this mindset? Consider. Where did Paul receive his ministry? From the Lord Jesus. This is a win-win! If God wants us to do something, He will provide what we need: His understanding, His strength, His boldness, His grace – whatever is needed to fulfill His will for us to accomplish the works He has ordained. I began writing this blog several months ago. As I’ve been studying, and praying about my own lack of boldness, I’ve seen some incredible changes that can only come from God working in me. Seriously, over the last month I’ve been able to share the truths of God’s word with more people than I can count. These are not people that I know, I haven’t even ‘tested’ the waters before I speak. I’ve just asked the question straight up, “Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior?” or “Have you been able to trust in Jesus for ……?” People want to tell you about themselves, about their problems and struggles – I think God is giving me better ears to hear, coupled with a growth in genuine concern and compassion. The conversations God has ordained have been incredible! Mostly interactions have been encouraging with opportunities to share the Gospel message; a few individuals were closed doors to Truth, but still positive words were exchanged. I truly believe that God has blessed my desire to tackle my own problem of Milquetoast! Certainly, all glory to God for His amazing grace and work in the life of a sinner such as myself. But, He will use us. He will provide understanding, strength, boldness and grace – whatever is needed to fulfill His will for us to accomplish the works He has ordained.
I love the encouraging truths from Philippians 1:
Php 1:3-7 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 [For I am] confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.
What is the mission? To testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. To witness to others, specifically the gospel, God’s grace in the lives of sinners. This is more than just witnessing by my life style, and by what others see in me. Although this is important and may even lead to conversation, it is passive. It’s more ‘the sidelines’ cheerleader and the extra players on the bench than it is being on the team on the field. Paul has been on the field, in fact, leading the way. Remember Paul’s testimony? 1Ti 1:15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost [of all.] None of us are without sin; a perfect God does not need to save perfect people! Let’s get out there with the right motivation, remembering who we are without Christ, sharing out of gratitude what we’ve been given.
1Ti 1:5; 9-11 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
Where are we in our boldness for Christ? We are to be exceedingly joyful to serve our Lord Jesus in the ministry we have received to earnestly share the good news of God’s grace! Are we instead choosing to be Milquetoast?
