True Influence

A Voice Silenced

The news of a Christian influencer's death struck a chord, not because I knew him personally or fully agreed with all his ideologies, but because God used him as a vessel to speak to America about the risen Christ.

We all have unique gifts and abilities that can be used to elevate the name of Jesus. This man's strength was his eloquence and his ability to communicate persuasively. While many would describe him as controversial, it should also be said that he was knowledgeable about the Bible and used that knowledge to defend and proclaim Biblical truths. I considered him an effective apologist.

However, we must be cautious not to elevate the human messenger to the level of the divine. Human instruments are inherently flawed. The grace of God is such that He can use even the most imperfect individuals for His greater purpose. And in doing so, He is glorified in our weakness. The message of the cross ought to be elevated above any human instrument.

Whether a public figure is liked or not, I hope we can acknowledge the work of God through them. Many Christians have died proclaiming the Gospel, from the "greats" to the least known, this man will not be the last. So, I hope the attention his death has garnered is a reminder for us not to be complacent when our voice is needed. The enemy may try to silence anything that elevates Jesus, but His message outlives this world.

Consider for a moment:

What are your gifts and abilities?

How is God calling you to partner with Him to be used for His glory?

Everyone has a platform, however small, use your platform to glorify the Lord through whatever resources you have available to you.

I Will Not Be Quiet

I've refused to remain quiet. Even though my speech may have taken a backseat (and is still being developed in some ways), I still spoke through my writing as I'm doing now. But here's the thing...we prove ourselves faithful when we utilize our gifts and abilities according to the measure of grace God has given us. So admittedly, I haven't made use of all of my potential that I've been called to.

Pursuing more in God is not arrogance. He created you to want more of Him and to be more through Him. So never settle for less like the servant with the 1 talent did in Jesus' parable. Allow God to stir you, shape you, and use you until you've held nothing back of the purpose He has built you for. That is the key to true greatness as an influencer.

There are many Christians who died in the same week as the popular influencer. Their deaths were not newsworthy and their platforms did not draw thousands but they carried weight in the Kingdom. This means there are less voices to deliver truth to people who are still lost in unbelief. Too many voices are being silenced, we need more voices to rise in their place. Are you willing?

The Gospel is urgent. The message of Salvation needs to be delivered without delay because it has the power to save today.

Character is Developed Through Obedience

If you're waiting for your character to be perfect before you proclaim the Gospel you're being deceived. It's not our perfection that qualifies us, but the perfect Son of God-Jesus Christ. By obedience to Him we are being perfected (being made holy). Twenty years after Jesus' ascension, the Apostolic leader, Apostle Peter, acted hypocritically. He was showing favoritism to Jewish members of the church and discriminating against Gentiles. The Apostle Paul didn't hesitate to publicly correct him. Peter was a man that was far from perfect yet, in spite of his imperfections he was used greatly for the spread of the Gospel.

Let's be clear, Jesus' message does not make holiness and righteousness optional. If we choose to follow Him, we've chosen to embark on a journey that transforms us to look more like Him. The more we look less like our old selves and more like Jesus, the more we mirror His righteous character. In this process, we authenticate the very Gospel we preach, not by our perfection, but by our pursuit of holiness.

The takeaway is this, rather than waiting until we become the best version of ourselves before we declare His truth, let us remember that the Gospel we preach is the same Gospel that transforms us.

The Call to Discipleship is Not Restricted By Our Gender

Brothers and sisters, gender has no bearing on our Kingdom mission. It doesn’t matter whether a woman or a man is preaching, both are made by God to proclaim the Gospel. What right does anyone have to silence women or diminish their role in the Kingdom of God? In Galatians 3:28 it is written: "There is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Let us remember that.

Jesus' disciples consisted of both men and women spreading the Good News. It's no different today. Men and women are to stand side-by-side on the frontlines against the powers of darkness. In 1 Timothy 2:12 Apostle Paul wrote that he does not "permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man." This verse has become a point of division concerning the role of women in pastoral ministry. It should also be noted that the same Apostle Paul affirmed women in leadership, acknowledging women who laboured with him in the Gospel. The marital status of all the women he credited is not known, but among those he recognized in his letters is Priscilla, wife of Aquilla, fellow missionaries and church planters. What is not to be debated, based on scriptural evidence is a woman's invaluable role in the ministry of the Gospel. Women who preach the Gospel do not undermine the concept of headship, rather they reflect Christ’s ultimate headship over His Church. The woman was given as helper-partner to labour with the man to fulfill their God-given mandate. We are to dominate the Kingdom of darkness, not each other! So, let us put away arguments and stand united in our shared purpose. The Kingdom of God is not divided, neither should we be.

The Deception of Strategy

The move of the Spirit isn't predicated on human “strategies.” He moves according to His will, not ours. When the Apostle Paul visited the church in Corinth, he didn't come with fancy words of human wisdom, or prepare a perfect presentation. He tells us that he came in "fear and trembling" under the power of a simple message: Christ crucified. And by this, the power of God was demonstrated. Yes, we trust in God's timing for people to respond, but our job is to always speak the word of truth because the time for people to hear it is always now. We don’t need a 10-year or 20-year plan to prepare people for the Gospel. That is the counsel of the enemy meant to delay truth until countless souls are lost without ever hearing it.

Church is Not A Business

Church, stop thinking in corporate terms, as though we’re preserving "clients" or building a business. The Church is not a business. The Church is a people group called to proclaim the Gospel in both word and deed. We need order, structure, and wisdom according to Kingdom principles not worldly principles. We are not here to preserve human contracts, we are here to amplify the message of a new covenant-contract established by the Spirit of God. Our bottom line isn't profit, it's redeemed souls. You-church-are called to be light that pushes back the darkness of this world. So, let's ask ourselves: what are we proclaiming in our church practices? Are we more concerned about being accepted and liked by our community than being a radical force for light that overcomes darkness in our community? The world desperately needs a Church that is willing to stand for what is true, even if it costs us something.

Stop Crucifying Your People

Why do you crucify your own people in the name of self-preservation? This is precisely why the church has often been guilty of compromising the word of God. We're more concerned about being accepted by the world than declaring the way to acceptance into God's Kingdom. And sadly, the church has sacrificed their own people who proclaim truth to preserve their standing in the world. We aren't called to worldly success and growth metrics, the Gospel calls us to a much higher standard.

Jesus was clear, you’re either for Him or against Him. So, choose this day whom you will serve: the spirit of the world, or the Spirit of Life. There is no middle ground.

A True Witness

I conclude with this: The power of the word of God is truly evident in our lives when we humbly submit to it. While we acknowledge our imperfections, let's not take pride in them. Instead, let our lives reflect the transformation we want to see in others, so that they may be moved to believe the word of our testimony! Our words must be authenticated by how we live, rooted in a genuine commitment to love our neighbours as we love ourselves.

"I am not ashamed of the Gospel, it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." (Romans 1:16)