Recently Elon Musk bought a lot of Twitter stock. I wonder what he is up to? I love that in America we can say just about anything, anywhere. I can say something right, wrong, agreeable or disagreeable and most will defend my right to say it. And, of course, I will do the same for those with whom I disagree. Sometimes people have let “mere words” upset them to the point of a violent reaction. That’s sad and bad. While I recognize the power of words, The appropriate response to hurtful, deceitful, and demeaning words… is not violence or even less words (cancel culture), but more words. Daniel Webster said of all the freedoms we have, if he had to choose just one, he would choose the freedom of speech, for with it, he could win all the others! The apostle Paul’s gospel message was met with violence in the temple of God. He made an appeal to his freedom of speech at just the last moment before being whipped. It may have saved his life. He discovered that words spoken about Jesus can be a lightning rod!
But when they stretched him out with straps, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?” When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and told him, saying, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman.” The commander came and said to Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” And he said, “Yes.” The commander answered, “I acquired this citizenship for a large sum of money.” And Paul said, “But I was actually born a citizen.” Therefore, those who were about to interrogate him immediately backed away from him; and the commander also was afraid when he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had put him in chains. Acts 22:25-29 NASB
How bold am I about sharing my faith and the message of Jesus while its still legal in America. How aware am I of the persecution of brothers in other countries where it is not?
God, as this day begins- Thank you for the freedoms enjoyed in this great country. Please help me always stand firm in the faith and to be ready and willing to tell others about the hope within me. I know that the message I share are more than “mere words”, they have the power to change life and eternal destinies. May I steward the responsibility and privilege well.
