Is Religion a Private Matter?
Is our religion an issue that should be kept to ourselves? Is it a private matter?
Certainly, as it pertains to Christianity, God deals with us as individuals. The Bible teaches that our salvation is effective for us on a personal level, not as a group or team or club or denomination.
Ezekiel 14:20
(20) Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.
Yes, as we enter into a relationship with God, we become a part of the family of God, but that does not mean that our salvation is tied to the group. Our salvation is only in Jesus Christ.
Ezekiel 18:20-22, 24
(20) The soul that sinneth, it shall die. … (21) But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. (22) All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. (24) But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
Our choice to believe in God is our own. Our relationship with God is our own. But, as Christians, we are called upon by God to let others know what we know. We cannot convert anyone, but we are called to testify to what we have seen and heard of God.
Matthew 28:18-20
(18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Ezekiel 3:17-21
(17) Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. (18) When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
(19) Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. (20) Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. (21) Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
We cannot remain silent for a witness who will not testify is a useless witness. We need not be obnoxious or offensive. We need not be belligerent or intrusive, because these are not the ways of Jesus Christ. Jesus ministered with tact, diplomacy and true interest in those He came to save. But He took every opportunity to address the spiritual condition of His followers, and not just their physical condition.
We must be ready to tell of what we have seen and heard:
Acts 4:18-20
(18) And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. (19) But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. (20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Just as we are eager to talk about our views on sports and politics, and express great excitement about our possessions and the cool things that we have seen or experienced on a secular level, so we should be excited to tell about the great things that God has done for us, and has promised to us.
Christianity may be personal, but it is hardly private. Without evangelism, there is no Christianity, and evangelism is a very public thing.
Let us take our responsibility as God’s Marketing Department seriously. Yes, we must live in accordance with God’s will. Our lives must be an example to others. Certainly, there will be some who will see our example and enquire about it, BUT, that is not to be our primary vehicle for witnessing.
We are called to be active ambassadors, for we cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard…