You've heard it. I've heard it. May have even said it at some point. "My faith is a private matter."
Sometimes the intent is healthy. We aren't here to coerce and back people into corners regarding matters of faith. Jesus' method wasn't like that. He was winsome, invitational, welcoming yet passionate. The only people He truly backed into a corner were the religious folk who were convinced they knew it all.
So I get it. I don't want to be coercive, manipulative or zealous with a bad dose of social ineptitude.
On the other hand, authentic, Biblical Christianity isn't a private matter. It may begin privately. But after you say "Yes" to Jesus, it's anything but private! True love always go public at some point and love for God and each other are no different. I'll paraphrase Timothy Keller here, "You know someone has really experienced God’s love when they stop saying, Christianity is a private matter."
That’s why water baptism is a public exercise. Baptisms
were never meant to be private. When Jesus loves you on the inside, it’s the most
natural thing to show it. Baptism doesn’t save you, but I would question
whether someone has experienced Jesus if they continue to say, “My faith is a
private matter.”
Have you gone public with your faith? No? Maybe you haven't met the real, powerful, winsome, mighty, unique, glorious Jesus who gives life to dead things.
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