When asked about their faith, I’ve heard people say, “Well, I have a quiet faith. It’s private.” And that’s how they live their lives… a faith that never speaks up. The question is… Is that biblical faith? Does the Bible say that our faith should be quiet? I would say NO. In fact, the Bible demonstrates that we are to have a loud faith.
Take for instance the Apostle Paul. When he was writing to the church at Corinth, he said, “I came to you in weakness – timid and trembling.” Obviously, he didn’t know how they would respond to him, a former persecutor of the church. Would they kick him out? Would they reject him? Would they listen or would they turn their heads? Despite his fear and anxiety, he went anyways. Why would he do that? Because he knew that what he had they needed. He knew that he was bringing them a vital message. He also knew that God was sending him.
Shame on the pastors and leaders who never speak to their followers about having a bold, a loud faith. Shame on them for never telling them that their faith needs to be shared with others. But thank the Lord for the ones who boldly shared the gospel with us, right? Having a loud faith needs to start with one thing… an understanding that the treasure we have is something others need. So then the question becomes… what IS a loud faith? Obviously, volumes could be written on this subject, but here are a few things…
Let’s start with what a loud faith is NOT… a loud faith is not having all the answers, it’s not always feeling adequately trained, it’s not about the right time, the right circumstances, or the right mood. A loud faith doesn’t mean we never feel fear or that we never feel like a fish out of water or that others speak it so much better.
So what IS loud faith then? Having a loud faith means that you trust God even if you’re afraid. Having a loud faith means that when you see people hurting, struggling, or wandering, you tell them about the hope inside you… not necessarily with eloquence, but with sincerity. Even when life is messy, the struggles are real, or the pain is abundant, we see other’s need for Christ. Having a loud faith means that I will speak truth into someone’s life, I will point the way to the cross, and I will tell people my story… how Jesus freed me. Loud faith is demonstrated in our actions but also spoken out loud.
Loud faith doesn’t start with us… it has to start with God. In ourselves, we are weak and timid (like Paul), but with the power of the Holy Spirit in us, our faith can be BOLD and LOUD. This is biblical faith. Today, let’s speak the name of Jesus so LOUD people will hear.