Sit Down, Shut Up, and Submit!

I am not interested in an expression of faith that does not engage the hard and uncomfortable realities of life.

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Many times, just before dawn while still in bed, I will process a thought. Last night was one of those times. I was processing how we respond to hot social topics. I purposefully left out certain descriptive words in the previous sentence that might make an algorithmic censorship robot nervous causing a computer program to insert a notice in this posting to let us know we are being monitored.

If you think this is not an issue, try posting an opposing view that runs contrary to the accepted norm and in violation of a social media giant’s worldview and you will quickly be put in social media jail, or worse be banned outright. Not to mention being shunned by people you thought were your friends.

Do you see a troubling trend? The heels of silencing oppression have attempted to crush dissent at the start of each revolution in human history. If you think this applies only to social issues, think again. I have known some leaders in both the business and church world who informed their employees/staff how and what content they can display in public in an attempt to protect the image of their business/ministry.

Jesus allowed His disciples to argue and disagree in His presence. He did not silence them or ban them because they were processing an issue. At appropriate moments He would speak, and His words would bring correction and clarity, not silence and conformity.

I am not interested in an expression of faith that does not engage the hard and uncomfortable realities of life. It is too easy to tie our faith to the hitching post of fear of what others find upsetting and become silent when our voice, whether it is appreciated or not, needs to be heard. People are not as ignorant as some in positions of power would have us believe. Each of us can determine what is truth after examining all the evidence. That is the essence of a unique gift God gave us called free will. Whenever any form of evidence, whether right or wrong, is not made public, we will become like a court that only allows testimony from one side of an argument. In the end, our verdict will be flawed and justice will not be served.

 

This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Garris Elkins

Featured Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

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About the Author

Garris Elkins is a Kingdom Winds Contributor. He and his wife, Jan, serve the global Church through writing, speaking, and mentoring. They live in southern Oregon, tucked away in the foothills of the Rogue Valley. Their shared desire is to have each person learn how to hear the heart of God and become a transforming voice in their culture.