The Call To Confess Christ Before The World
The Lord Jesus Christ said:
“Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven”
Matthew 10:32
Every Orthodox Christian is called to confess Christ, not only by words but by life itself.
To speak about Christ is not simply to give information, but to share the very experience of salvation, the joy of the Gospel, and the reality of God’s love.
Orthodox Christianity teaches that confession of Christ is an act of love and courage. It requires both wisdom and humility, especially in lands where Christianity is little known.
To speak about Christ is to reveal Him as the Savior of the world, not through force or debate, but through prayerful witness that leads others freely to the truth.
The Importance Of Speaking With Humility
Saint Peter reminds us:
“Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear”
1 Peter 3:15
Speaking of Christ without humility can harm more than it heals. Prideful speech often drives people away, while humble words draw them closer to the truth.
Saint Isaac the Syrian teaches:
“Silence with humility is better than preaching without humility.”
The Orthodox Christian must speak not as an expert or conqueror but as one who has been healed by Christ and wishes others to find the same healing.
Our words should be gentle, filled with respect, and clothed with prayer.
Learning The Language Of The Heart
To speak about Christ in lands where Christianity is little known, it is not enough to translate words into another tongue. We must also learn the language of the heart.
Missionaries often began by learning the struggles, sorrows, and joys of the people they served. They entered their lives, shared their burdens, and listened to their questions before offering answers.
The Apostle Paul said:
“To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are without law, as without law… I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some”
1 Corinthians 9:20–22
This is not hypocrisy but love. To speak about Christ is to enter into the world of the other, to speak to their heart in words they can understand.
Why Words Alone Are Not Enough
Words alone cannot reveal Christ. The Gospel is not a philosophy or an idea but a living reality. The Apostle Paul writes:
“For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power”
1 Corinthians 4:20
The power of the Gospel is seen in lives transformed by grace.
Saint Seraphim of Sarov said:
“Acquire the Spirit of peace, and thousands around you will be saved.”
Before speaking about Christ, the Orthodox Christian must strive to live in Christ. A life of prayer, fasting, humility, and love often speaks louder than words. When others see joy, peace, and holiness shining in the life of a Christian, they naturally desire to know the source.
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Speaking Christ Through The Holy Scriptures
The Holy Bible is the foundation of Christian witness. Yet in speaking about Christ, Orthodox Christians must not use Scripture as a weapon but as a healing balm. The words of Scripture bring life when spoken with love.
Key passages include:
- John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”
- John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
- Acts 4:12: “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
- Psalm 26:1 (LXX): “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?”
These verses are not arguments but testimonies of love. They reveal Christ not as an idea but as the living Savior. When shared with prayer, they can touch the deepest places of the human soul.
The Role Of Patience And Silence
Often, silence is more powerful than speech.
In many lands, rushing to explain everything about Christ can overwhelm or confuse people. Silence, combined with prayer and presence, allows the Holy Spirit to prepare hearts.
Saint Anthony the Great said:
“A time will come when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him, saying, ‘You are mad.’”
In such times, speaking wisely may mean speaking less, and instead allowing the life of Christ within us to be the testimony.
Patience is key, for true faith cannot be forced but must grow slowly in the heart.
Guarding Against Misrepresentation Of Christ
In speaking about Christ, care must be taken not to misrepresent Him. To present Christ as only a moral guide or social reformer diminishes His true identity as the Son of God.
The Orthodox Christian must always confess that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man, the only Savior of the world.
Saint Athanasius the Great insisted:
“The Son of God became man so that we might become god.”
To speak about Christ means to reveal the depth of this mystery, not to reduce it to something more acceptable to human reason. Truth must never be compromised, even if it is difficult for some to accept.
The Fruit Of Speaking About Christ
When Christ is spoken of with humility, love, and truth, the fruit is conversion, healing, and joy.
People may not accept immediately, but the seed of the Gospel is planted. Over time, through the work of the Holy Spirit, hearts are opened.
The goal is not to win debates but to win souls.
The Psalmist says:
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy”
Psalm 125:5, LXX
To speak of Christ often requires patience and suffering, but the joy of seeing even one soul come to Him is beyond measure.
A Word For Orthodox Parents Explaining To Their Children
Parents can explain simply: To speak about Christ means to tell others that Jesus loves them and saves them. We do not argue or fight, but we speak kindly and gently. Sometimes, we do not even need words, because when we act with kindness, people can see Christ in us.
Just as you smile or share your toy with a friend, speaking about Christ means sharing the love of Jesus with everyone.