- Steven Hotze, M.D.
(The concept for this article was derived from Eric Metaxas’ powerful sermon at Second Baptist Church, Houston, on August 21, 2022.)
Christians must proclaim the truth!
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil.” – Dietrich Boenhoffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor during the the Nazi’s control of Germany, 1933-1945. He was a founding member of the Confessing Church. He challenged Lutheran pastors to advance Biblical truth in the face of the evils of Nazism and to proclaim to Christians their responsibility to challenge this evil in the political system. His book, The Cost of Discipleship,is a must read Christian classic. Bonhoeffer was a leader in opposing Hitler’s and the Nazis’ euthanasia program and persecution of the Jews. Hitler had him executed by hanging in 1945.
The German church was no different than the American church is today. Few German pastors were willing to resist the Nazis for fear that they would be targeted for persecution. They decided to go along to get along. They were held accountable before God for their cowardice. So shall each one of us be held accountable before God if we fail to stand for His truth.
Because of our prosperity in America, and the lack of suffering, most pastors and Christians have been lulled into complacency and remain silent in the face of evil.
When Jesus was asked by a Pharisee what was the great commandment, Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.“ (Matthew 22:37)
It is not good enough to simply love God intellectually, rather you must love Him passionately with all your heart. To love God is demonstrated by obeying Him. God knows what you believe by how you behave.
“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds. There is no one who does good.”(Psalms 14:1)
Satan is not an atheist, rather he is the leader of the great rebellion against the Lord God Almighty.
As evil progresses in our society, God expects the church to wake up, oppose it and defeat it.
Most pastors are unwilling to take a stand against the progression of evil that is engulfing our nation, because they are worried about losing church members, their donations and their tax exempt status. Yet, by refusing to take a stand, they are losing members and bringing God’s judgment upon themselves. Those churches that are standing firm for Biblical truths and bringing them to bear on every area of life are growing.
In the parable of the servants and the minas that they were given by their master, Matthew 25:14-30, Christ is teaching us that when we serve God we cannot play it safe. Christ has given us the Great Commission and expects us to advance His kingdom in every area of life. He expects us to be productive.
Boenhoffer condemned the concept of “cheap grace,” the idea that a person can claim to be a Christian and yet be unwilling to stand for and act upon God‘s Biblical truth. Our faith is proven in adversity.
Religiosity is not Biblical Christianity. Religiosity has the outward trappings of Christianity, but does not live out and proclaim the truth of God’s word.
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil.” – Boenhoffer
Christians are called to demonstrate boldness and courage in proclaiming the truth. “The righteous are as bold as a lion.“ (Proverbs 28:1)
You cannot play it safe with God, rather you must abandon yourself to serve Him with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.**
We are commanded to fear God, not man.
“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. Pride, arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, these things I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13)
“How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments.” (Psalms 112:2)
“You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord, He is our help and our shield.” (Psalm 115:11)
“The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life. Whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear. Though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.” (Psalms 27:1-3)
“In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have refuge.” (Proverbs 14:26)
Because Jesus has conquered sin and death through his crucifixion and resurrection, we can now live free and be willing and unafraid to live and die for God’s truth. We know that we have eternal life.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Because Jesus Christ is our King, Christian Patriots must rise up and press the battle to restore our nation to its Christian heritage to its successful conclusion!