The answer to the title question sadly might very well be yes.
When you look at the voice of the church it is growing ever more silent and insignificant. I don’t speak for all denominations as the more evangelical and those who whole-heartedly do praise and worship seem to be growing and are unafraid to speak out the truth of God’s Word.
The church that is struggling is the one where youth are leaving as a result of worship that seems lifeless and that take positions on matter of Scripture that are to quick to appease (become politically correct) rather than to speak truth in power.
The question then is why is this happening? One answer I believe lies in the experience of Zachariah recorded in Luke 1:20. Zechariah was made mute for his questioning faith. He did not trust God fully or take Him at His face value, and as a result his faith was silenced. The penalty Zechariah paid may very well be ours. Both personally and as a church at large. As long as we try to redefine God’s Word so it fits our lifestyle we put ourselves in danger of being silenced or of little value.
Certainly we have to acknowledge that some may be born mute or as was the case with Moses less eloquent. In those cases it was not brought about by lack of faith. Moses for example still led his people out of slavery. The key is the level of trust and faith. If absent or weak not only are we less significant but so also is THE CHURCH LESS SIGNIFICANT.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: The mouth is most assuredly muted when our message is not tied to the might of God’s Word.
DEVOTIONAL VERSE FOR TODAY: Luke 1:20 “becoming mute as penalty for a weak faith”.
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Lord keep me strong in the faith.
QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT:
- What makes us less significant as a spokesman for our faith?
- What has made the church less significant?
- What must change in the church and in our lives?
- In what ways are we redefining God’s Word?
*** Gary Jerke *** Is a former S.D. State Representative, author and Life and Liberty News contributor
Read more from Gary at Encouraging Others in Christ
