In July, 2010, the
USA Department of Homeland Security activated a “program to raise public
awareness of indicators of terrorism and violent crime and to emphasize the
importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper state and local law
enforcement authorities:” www.dhs.gov Its
well-known campaign slogan is “If You See Something, Say
Something.” According to I Corinthians 15:46, the “natural” often precedes
and illuminates the “spiritual.” First natural, then spiritual. From that perspective, I reread the Department
of Homeland Security slogan and reconsidered its meaning.
While I stand in
agreement with the urgings of government officials for our citizens to be
vigilant and ready to report potential indicators of trouble or terror, I see a
new and deeper significance for their adopted slogan. Consider
this. All too often, Christians can become somewhat intimated
(terrorized, if you will) by the vocal and outlandish demands of the world
system. At times, in our efforts to be politically correct and to
blend with our culture and society, we allow mouths to be muzzled and truths muted. However,
the Word of God directs us to act in a diametrically opposite manner: “Let the
redeemed of the Lord say so.”
(Psalm 107:2)
Light shines best
and brightest in darkness, and Jesus Christ declares believers to be brilliant
beacons of truth. “You are the light of the world. A city
that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14) The Apostle
Paul advised the Church of Corinth, “If the good news we preach is hidden, it
is hidden to those who are lost in sin.” (II Corinthians 4:3)
So
believer…if you see something…say something.
This does not imply
that the Body of Christ is to be judge and jury for others, in a carnal effort
to proactively purge our world of sin and shame. Indeed, that is the
task of The Holy Spirit. (John 16:7-11) In the final analysis,
judgment belongs to God, whom Paul describes as “the righteous judge.” (II
Timothy 4:8) But believers are called to be “witnesses” of/by/for
“the way, the truth, and the life.” (Acts 1:8 – John
14:6) Therefore, let us do so with conviction, character,
consistency and courage. (Acts 4:31) Because the early
Christian Church did so, their global impact (even their enemies’ testimonies)
were powerful and unequivocal. Unbelievers referred to them as “those
who have turned the world upside down.” (Acts 17:6)
So
believer…if you see something…say something.
This spiritual
slogan also pertains to our grateful recognition of the manifold blessings of
God. Since sincere acts of praise always
invoke the presence of Almighty God, our heartfelt praise invites Him into
every setting and situation. If a word, if you can see something significant that
GOD has done for you – and we know you have since we know what He does – say something! The
simple truth is that our praise terrorizes our spiritual enemies.
Praise even has the
capacity to paralyze natural enemies. I heard a powerful testimony
from one of the senior church mothers. While headed toward the
subway one night, she was jostled by a teenage boy who demanded that she
surrender her purse. This wise mother complied with the wishes of
her would-be burglar. But as she removed the purse from her shoulder
and extended it to him, she began to cry out “Thank
You, Jesus!” and to speak loudly in her heavenly
language. The young man immediately dropped her purse and fled the
scene in a panic. For just as there is a promised power in our witness, there is an absolute
authority that is released in our
praise! (Acts 1:8 – II Samuel 22:4)
So
believer…if you see something…say something.
Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all
else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
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