Author: Steve Amato
Description: Christian Hedonism - Is the seeking of pleasure to be the primary goal in life? Is God a Hedonist?
Keywords: bible study,christian hedonism bible piper

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# Speak Up

"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom 10:9,10
The faith that saves is the faith that speaks.

> "It is written: 'I believed; therefore I have spoken.' {Psalm 116:10} With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence." 2Cor 4:13,14

And Jesus said, "By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Mt 12:37
What you speak of reveals what dominates your thoughts. Is it common for you to speak of the Word of God?

> "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deut 6:6-9

Or is it only in church on Sunday that you speak? And even so in church the speaking is largely parroting what you're told to say in a ceremonial fashion. Thinking about what the Bible says, applying it and speaking it thoughtfully should be characteristic of those who believe it.
Get involved with a DISCUSSION ORIENTED Bible study. In Lecture Oriented Bible studies one person speaks. There's a place for that in the Christian life. But in discussion oriented Bible studies all participants are allowed to speak, and that's what Christians need to do. They need to speak out their faith. In fact if you attend a church that does not provide a forum in which you can speak, you might what to change churches.
In family settings take the time to speak of Christ and the application of the Bible. In discussions with friends or strangers feel free to express your faith. For a person believes strongly in something, they will speak of it. Paul characterized the Thessalonian Christians saying, "The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia— your faith in God has become known everywhere." 1Th 1:8
Conversely faith comes from hearing. "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Rom 10:17 But "how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" Rom 10:14b
For people to be saved, they have to hear the message. For them to hear the message you must speak. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." Mk 16:15,16
But there are many false Christians who simply have a "private faith". They are afraid to vocalize their faith. "Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him. Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God." John 12:41,42
"Private faith" is not saving faith. The faith that saves is the faith that professes.

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources