When the World’s Fair came to Chicago in1893, many Christian leaders and groups were outraged that the fair would be open on Sunday. Some wanted to boycott the fair and others wanted to file a lawsuit. Not following the lead of these Christians, D. L. Moody instead saw this as “the opportunity of a century”. The world would be coming to Chicago and Christians had the opportunity to present them with the Gospel. [1]
Today, we Christians boycott, file lawsuits, and refuse to do business with those who oppose our moral beliefs. Instead of avoiding contact with these individuals, should we not follow Moody’s example and develop creative ways of sharing out faith during these encounters? Did Jesus recommend we use economic and legal forces to change the mind of others or did he instruct us to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, ESV)?
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[1] Kevin Belmonte, D. L. Moody—A Life, Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2014, p. 190.
