Speak Your Mind Without Losing Your Testimony
By Dr. Jack R. Hodges, Jr.
Burke County
This article is the third of a series of messages that traces Paul’s Mediterranean Sea journey to Rome. After Paul had completed two successful missionary journeys, Luke chronicles his faithful testimony of the Lordship of Jesus amid adversity. In the story found in Acts 27-28, Paul was sent as a prisoner of Imperial Rome from Caesarea in Israel to Rome to stand trial before the higher courts of Rome. While on trial in Caesarea, Paul had appealed to Caesar. His appeal was granted and he was sent under Roman guard to Rome. They set sail and during this difficult voyage, Paul would continue to find God’s promises, guidance, and provisions along each leg of the journey.
In Acts 27:9-13, we read that as the ship had made very slow progress because of difficult winds, they found themselves reaching the Island of Crete just as winter and the stormy rainy season were about to begin in the Mediterranean region. Biblical historians suggest that the travel itinerary that Julius, the Roman centurion, had originally chosen was to take a ship going to the Aegean Sea with hopes that Neapolis (located up north past Ephesus and Troas) would be a port of call. Then, he would march Paul and the other prisoners overland on the Egnastian Road to Dyrrhachium on the western coast of Greece. They would then cross the Adriatic Sea and take the Appian Road to Rome. Apparently, when Julius arrived in Myra, he changed his mind and transferred to a grain ship coming from Alexandria (Egypt) sailing directly to Italy. The idea seemed to be a good one, but the beginning of the trip proved problematic. They sailed slowly for many, many days. They labored to sail or row against the wind until they slipped under the southern part of the Island of Crete. They made their way “under the shelter of Crete” until they arrived at a city called “Fair Haven.” They had already lost a great deal of time-fighting the wind—so much so that the fast of the Day of Atonement had passed. What Luke is telling us is that they were approaching the middle of October. Ship movements on the Mediterranean Sea were dangerous at that time and nearly impossible by the middle of November.
Apparently, while they were harbored at Fair Haven, Julius held a conference with the owner of the ship, the ship’s captain, and Paul (who possibly represented the other prisoners on board). On imperial business, Julius wanted to hear everyone’s opinion on whether they should proceed under the threat or not.
It was at that point that Paul spoke his mind and his thoughts. The fundamental question is: was Paul speaking his own mind or the mind of Christ? You see, Paul’s testimony was everything to him. When he had answered the call both to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior of his life and to preach and teach the gospel as the Lord’s disciple and servant, Paul recognized that his testimony was everything to the power and effectiveness of the gospel message. Paul declared (1 Cor. 1:23), “but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness.” Paul insisted (1 Cor. 2:2), “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” And in 2 Cor. 4:5 Paul confessed, “For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.” In Galatian 6:14 he lamented, “But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
I believe that as Paul spoke, he was speaking the warnings of the Lord. He admonished them for putting all at risk and he warned them that they would do so at great peril. I wonder! When you and I speak, what are we saying and under whose authority are we speaking? So many people are bad-mouthing the church, the preacher, each other, and even God. What are they speaking? What are they preaching?
Listen! If you want to gossip, tell the redeeming story of Jesus crucified and nothing else! If you want to give an opinion, let your opinion be of the mighty love, grace, and mercy of the Lord—who gave Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of all. If you want to give some advice, then let your words ring true of the redemption of Christ, of salvation full and free, of the faithfulness and goodness of God. If you want to talk about the church, tell of the wonderful calling and the amazing fellowship of the Holy Spirit that exists in the Body of Christ. If you want to talk about your pastor, do so with prayers unto the Father—that His power and presence will anoint Him to preach Christ crucified. If you want to talk about your deacons, tell of how God uses imperfect men to accomplish His will and ways in the life of the church. If you want to talk about a fellow church member, let your mind and voice speak of the truth of their love, respect, and commitment to serve the Lord as redeemed and set aside children of God. If you need to warn of sinful and destructive choices, let your voice speak out with humility, compassion, and a desire to redeem and build up the testimony of faith in the Lord.
Let your voices be heard! Only guard your hearts and minds. That’s what Paul told the Philippian believers (Phil. 4:7), “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” “Be anxious for nothing,” Paul said in verse 6, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” In verses 8-9, Paul commanded, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Paul’s testimony was everything to the power and legitimacy of the gospel message. And here in a time of crisis, we see that Paul demonstrates how a servant of the Lord Jesus offers his/her thoughts or opinions. In Acts 27:9-10, we read that Paul admonished them and then warned them of the impending danger of their choice. He didn’t rant and rave. He didn’t threaten them. He didn’t talk over them or try to control their choice. He didn’t need to—for although he didn’t know the details of God’s plans, Paul knew that the Lord was with him and would accomplish His plans and purposes no matter what! Here is the key to Paul’s godly approach. He spoke: (1) the truths of God; (2) he was prompted by the Spirit of God; and (3) he spoke in order to accomplish the plans and purposes of God (and not his own).
God’s truths lead all to repentance, salvation, and reconciliation through Christ. And it is the power of the Holy Spirit that empowers us as children of God to stand firm, speak truth, and live out our testimonies of the Lordship of Christ. Paul had been saved and transformed into a child of God by faith in the risen Savior—so that he would be a mighty witness of the gospel of Christ Jesus. When given the opportunity to speak, let your voice be heard. But always remember to speak your mind without losing your testimony!
_________________________________________
Dr. Jack Hodges is the Senior Pastor at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Morganton, NC. He has served as a pastor, a biblical counselor, and an International Mission Board missionary.
Read more from Dr. Hodges here.
_________________________________________
