Words. My weekend was all about words!

It started off on Friday with Stix and Stones, a thought-provoking Easter drama at Central Triad Church in Winston-Salem that was far more than an Easter drama. Challenging words.

On Saturday I attended Barbecue and Oldies at Trading Ford Baptist Church, a benefit for an upcoming Honduras Mission trip that featured Mike and the Mustangs singing songs from the 50’s and 60’s. Old words.

On Sunday I attended church and then joined a group of 14 women as we traveled to Greensboro for Chris Tomlin’s Holy Roar concert. Lots of words.

It was that first event—Stix and Stones—that really got me to thinking about words. We’re all familiar with the childhood rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” Well, the theme of the play confronted me with the truth: Words can hurt.  Words start riots. Words destroy relationships. Words start wars. Words get people killed.

Just ask Jesus, Paul, Peter, and countless people today who are facing execution for their words.

Ever thought about the fact that it was his words that got Jesus killed? Had he never preached or spoken out against the religious leaders or if he had only recanted his claim to be the Messiah, he probably would not have been crucified.

Because of words, Jesus’ followers suffered and died. James was beheaded, Peter was martyred (probably crucified upside down), Stephen was stoned, Paul was beheaded, John was, according tradition, boiled in oil and miraculously survived to write the Revelation—and on and on.

Through the centuries countless Christians have died because of words. John Hus was burned at the stake in 1415 for criticizing the doctrines of the Catholic Church. John Wycliffe was so hated for his criticism of the Catholic Church and for daring to translate the Bible into English that his body was exhumed after his death and burned.

William Tyndale died at the stake in 1536 because he translated the Bible into English so that people could read and understand the scriptures for themselves.  Words!

Fast forward several centuries, and words became extremely important to the founding fathers of this country. Protection of the right to speak was so important that the first amendment to our constitution reads:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”*

Sadly, I fear our right to freedom of speech  is taken for granted. So are our other rights covered under this amendment—freedom of religion and freedom to assemble. Though we may not like what people say, we should protect their right to say it.

This issue has become so critical that President Trump recently signed an executive order requiring institutions of higher learning that receive federal dollars to ensure free speech and the exchange of ideas on our college campuses.

To be complacent on this issue can be deadly as evidenced by the execution of Christians in other countries simply for sharing their faith or choosing Christianity over other religions.

As I reflect on everything I experienced in my three-day weekend, I am thankful for many things. I am thankful that I could freely exercise my faith. I am thankful that I could say what I wanted to say and assemble in churches and concert halls without fear of persecution.

I am thankful I can read my Bible for myself. I am thankful that bold priests, prophets, and apostles like John were willing to risk their lives to write WORDS!

If we are to remain free in every sense of the word, we MUST stand up and speak up for our rights. And we must elect people who will stand up for us! Our first amendment rights are much too precious to let slip through our fingers for lack of attention or laziness.

The Lord told Joshua three times as he commissioned him to lead the children of Israel to claim the promised land:

^“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NLT)

That’s what we must do: Be strong and courageous as we stand up and stand together to make sure our government or our institutions do not take away any of our rights that our forefathers fought and died for. Though far from perfect, we live in a marvelous land, and we need to protect and keep it.

Chris Tomlin’s Holy Roar concert wrapped up my weekend. His music and his lyrics—his words—were powerful. We as Christians can be strong and courageous because we have the God of Angel Armies on our side:

Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)

 You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still

Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind

The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

What about you? Ever sat down and reflected on the power of words? Ever wondered why Jesus called himself the Word?”

“In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (^[Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.” (John 1:1 AMP)

The WORD—Jesus himself. The Alpha and the Omega is THE WORD!

And His last words to us, his followers?

^”Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 AMP)

Yes, words are essential to carrying out the commands of the Word! Let’s use them for his glory and protect them for future generations. Words.

I’d love to hear from you! Your words, comments and thoughts are always welcome! Many blessings.

 

*https://www.history.com/topics/united-states-constitution/freedom-of-speech

The only legal exceptions at this point are

• Obscene material such as child pornography
• Plagiarism of copyrighted material
• Defamation (libel and slander)
• True threats

Speech inciting illegal actions or soliciting others to commit crimes aren’t protected under the First Amendment, either.