Elijah went before the people and said, “how long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. 1 Kings 18:21
One attribute that is common to good fathers, teachers, friends, pastors, etc. is boldness to tell the truth even if it hurts the relationship with the individual(s) for some time. We live in a relativistic generation where everyone’s truth is glorified as the truth. You will be labelled arrogant, intolerant, judgmental, and not a loving person if you do not accept all truths as equal. We no longer believe in absolutes. Like Elijah who was outnumbered 400 to 1, believers are a minority.
We cannot ‘impose’ our truth on the majority. It seems as if a code of silence has been imposed on us in exchange for peace and acceptance in the society. Elijah was not naïve about the situation he faced. The people knew about Yahweh and celebrated His festivals but were also deep in Baal worship. Without imposing his truth on them, Elijah admonished them to choose one of the deities and be totally committed to him. In a simple act, Elijah demonstrated the power of God over Baal and then left them to choose.
Until we are ready to by faith demonstrate the power of God and not just truth to a cynical world, we have no Gospel to preach. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” 1 Corth. 4:20. Nothing is impossible with God.
Author: Rev. Sunday Bwanhot
Rev. Sunday Bwanhot is EMS/SIM Missionary. He serves as Team leader of SIM Culture Connexions; Pastors of ECWA Chicago and ECWA USA DCC Chairman.
