Make Some Noise!
“But now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophecy, or of teaching? Yet even lifeless instruments, whether flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? For if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So you too, unless you produce intelligible speech by the tongue, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will just be talking to the air.” (1 Corinthians 14:6-9)
It is said that “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.” This colorful coloquialism has a very practical meaning: if you want something, you have to make noise! You have to ask for it. You must use your words.
Jesus made it clear that we are to use our words. We are commanded, not asked, not suggested, but commanded to spread the good news of His sacrifice and saving grace. We are to spread the word of His impending return. To do so means reward. Christian, have you considered what it means to NOT follow His commandments?
In Revelation Christ dictated letters to seven churches in what is now Turkey. He commended the ones that had something to commend, but admonished the ones who needed vital correction. The last letter, to the church of Laodicea, was perhaps the most scathing in admonition. He called this church “lukewarm” and warned He would reject them if they did not change. This prophetic letter speaks volumes to us today!
One of the most impactful images He gave in this letter is when He said, “Behold I stand at the door and knock; If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” Translation: “I am not even IN the church anymore, but shut out. I want back into My church. If You listen to Me, hear Me, and let Me back into your heart, I will stay with you and reward you.”
Another important quote He gave in scripture is, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” Christ Jesus loves you and wants you in His everlasting Kingdom! He paid a heavy price to enable that to happen. But there are conditions that must be met. When He says to spread the word of the Gospel, the truth, and we don’t act on that, we are exibiting an unprecedented level of hatred to our fellow man!
We have the SOLUTION to ALL THE WORLD’S PROBLEMS! If we are simply keeping that news to ourselves out of selfishness or fear of rejection or fear of offending others, we are (1) telling God that His commands are not important to us and (2) showing that we do not love people enough to try and save them! A lukewarm person is someone who is undecided, uncommitted. Are you committed to Christ and His saving work for you? A lukewarm person will only follow Christ’s commands when convenient, rather than at all opportunities. We are warned that the lukewarm will be “spit out.”
Christian, those seven churches no longer exist. As they “modernized” and became married to the world, they lost their spirit and, consequently, their very existence, just as He warned. Don’t allow this to happen to you. Don’t believe the lies of this world, but overcome it as He instructed us to do! The Apostle Paul wrote, “…For if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?” What kind of noise are YOU making? Are you making the distinct sound of salvation? Or are you making a confusing noise that corrupts and only serves to protect yourself in a noisy and often hostile environment? Be the instrument that plays the sweet, sweet sounds of victory in Christ Jesus!