Oliver Cromwell (1599 –1658) was an English military and political leader who overthrew the monarchy and temporarily turned England into a Republican Commonwealth.He also ruled as Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland. Sometime during his reign there was a shortage of currency in the British Empire. On his order, representatives carefully searched the nation in hopes of finding silver to meet the demand. After a month, the team returned with their report saying, "We have searched the Empire in vain seeking to find silver. To our dismay, we found none anywhere except in the cathedrals where the statues of the saints are made of choice silver." Upon hearing this, Oliver Cromwell profoundly answered, "Alright then, let's melt down the saints and put them into circulation."
‘And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your soul; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.’ (2 Cor 12:15)
It is so easy for us to seek our own comforts in every area of our life. This often spills over to our walk and even evangelism. We are forever waiting for ‘the right moment’. We want to learn more about the gospel before we share it. We are afraid of what people will think and even of offending them. We need to start having the heart of Christ for the lost. The heart that lead Paul to give his all to people who did not fully appreciate what he has done for them. For the gospel to spread, we need to go through some fire. We need to be melted down first and then put into circulation.
‘Melt down the saints, and put them in circulation’. Cromwell said this in the 1600’s, but God has been calling for this for millennia. This is a call to Christians to get out of their comfort zones. We are not supposed to shove our beliefs down the throats of others, but the word is very clear that we must ‘preach’ the gospel. If people make fun of us, we must take it. If we are treated as outcasts, bear it. If people are offended, let it not be because of your personality (Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, to seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved – 1 Cor 10:32-33), but the word must go out. In words and not just actions because Rom 8:14 says, ‘How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in whom they have not HEARD? And how shall they HEAR without a preacher? (Emphasis added). Beware of falling into extremes. Do not speak down and judgementally to people. Do not keep quiet thinking that that’s what love is.
Second, we must go into circulation. We must be light in all areas of society. In Acts 8:2-4 we learn that the saints were scattered due to persecution (ironically lead by Paul) and they preached the gospel where ever they went. Christians need to realise that godly men and women are needed in all spheres of society. We need to represent the kingdom everywhere from medicine to business; from science to the arts; from the suburbs to the informal settlements. We must go into circulation. As long as salt remains in its container in the cupboard, it is useless. It needs to be spread all over different dishes at all times to add flavour.
Get out of your comfort zone. Invite someone to church. Intentionally tell someone what you believe. Listen to people and let them tell you what they believe and start a conversation. More importantly, do not be afraid of judgement, ridicule, laughs etc. Saints before us have gone through much worse. In this day and age and depending on the country you live, you will most likely not have a list like Paul’s (2 Cor 11:23-28). Do not assume that God calls everyone to be pastors but He does call everyone to be ministers (Mat 28:18-20). Find the place that God has called you to minister in. And always remember: Love God, Love People, and Live Life.
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With Love
Yunam
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