Don’t Stop Sharing the Good News

Christ is Risen!

There is an old saying. Don’t talk about politics or religion in polite conversation. You may want to keep the peace among friends, but there is a negative impact on taking this advice. First, you’ll never know what your friends believe. Second, you’ll never preach Christ raised from the dead. Neither is good for society.

In those days, when the Jews saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they wondered; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man that had been healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is manifest to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to any one in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for all men praised God for what had happened. For the man on whom the sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

Acts 4.13-22

In today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles we encounter one of the first prohibitions to preaching Christ. The leaders knew they could not argue with the truth of the Apostles’ preaching, so they merely commanded them to stop preaching. Thankfully for us, they didn’t obey the command.

Let’s get back to the old saying. I agree there is a time and place for every conversation. I also admit there is a difference between polite conversation and antagonism. As Christians we don’t want to antagonize people. It simply won’t open any hearts to ‘beat people over the head’ with the Gospel.

In fact, polite conversation is the exact time when we should be willing to talk about Christ with our friends and coworkers. In the days when the Apostles were forbidden to preach, and in every era of persecution, the Church grew through personal relationships more than in any other way.

It was specifically in polite conversation among friends, neighbors, and families, that the Gospel of the Resurrection spread throughout the ancient world. In a contemporary way of thinking. Imagine yourself in an extremely stressful work environment. As a Christian, living with the hope Christ gains the attention of your coworkers. When you share what keeps you from excess stress, the message of hope in the resurrection will be contagious.

It works in all circles. Is the current political atmosphere stressing people out, while you remain ‘calm and cool’ at the same time. It doesn’t matter whether you are facing a social storm or a hurricane, the message of the Christ Raised from the dead is enough to calm any storm and bring hope.

So, don’t stop sharing the Good News. Don’t hesitate to talk about Christ in polite conversation. You never know who needs the hope you have, to help their life.