We are called to be Christ’s ambassadors; His witnesses in Jerusalem, and Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. I’ve not been to the first three places, but I suppose rural Ireland could qualify as the end of the earth and that’s where I am now, so that’s where I’ll be God’s witness.
God has placed us where we are now to be a witness for Him, to shine bright “in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation” (Philippians 2:15).
I find it hard to talk to strangers about Jesus. It’s difficult to open up about something as personal as faith with people I’ve never met and probably won’t see again. But with friends, with people who see me regularly, people whose judgment might stain me and impact me in my daily life; that can often be even harder.
We have received the Good News. We know the way to eternal life. How can we hide it from those we love most?
God has placed us where we are now to be a witness for Him, to shine bright “in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation” (Philippians 2:15).
I find it hard to talk to strangers about Jesus. It’s difficult to open up about something as personal as faith with people I’ve never met and probably won’t see again. But with friends, with people who see me regularly, people whose judgment might stain me and impact me in my daily life; that can often be even harder.
We have received the Good News. We know the way to eternal life. How can we hide it from those we love most?
Adoniram Judson was a nineteenth-century missionary to Burma (now Myanmar). When he wrote to the father of the woman he wanted to marry, Ann Hasseltine, he was very upfront about the many trials she would face as his wife. She would never see her family again, she would be subject to a vastly different culture, lifestyle and climate; she would face persecution and possibly death because of her husband’s vocation.
“Can you consent to all this,” he asked Ann’s father, “for the sake of Him who left His heavenly home, and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing immortal souls; for the sake of Zion and the glory of God?”
“For the sake of perishing immortal souls“; that is what is at stake. The Gospel is greater than judgment or sneering, or the social awkwardness that can arise from discussing faith with friends. The Gospel is a matter of eternal life.
Sunday Christian-ism will not save souls. The importance of this commission does not allow for occasional efforts, but for a life infused with Jesus; a life that shines as a witness to those around us.
We need to remember the bigger picture; we need to remember that what is important is not the admiration of people in this world, but the salvation of those who know Jesus.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17).”
In other words, our every action should be to glorify God. All that we do and say should be to bring Him glory, not ourselves. This is not about us; this is about being witnesses for Christ in our friendship circles and workplaces, in our schools and pursuits.
We should not be embarrassed or ashamed; the news we bear is important, vital and soul-saving. Let’s throw off the discomfort and pride that impedes us. Let’s embrace our commission anew; let us witness for Christ with the urgency that it deserves.
“Can you consent to all this,” he asked Ann’s father, “for the sake of Him who left His heavenly home, and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing immortal souls; for the sake of Zion and the glory of God?”
“For the sake of perishing immortal souls“; that is what is at stake. The Gospel is greater than judgment or sneering, or the social awkwardness that can arise from discussing faith with friends. The Gospel is a matter of eternal life.
Sunday Christian-ism will not save souls. The importance of this commission does not allow for occasional efforts, but for a life infused with Jesus; a life that shines as a witness to those around us.
We need to remember the bigger picture; we need to remember that what is important is not the admiration of people in this world, but the salvation of those who know Jesus.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17).”
In other words, our every action should be to glorify God. All that we do and say should be to bring Him glory, not ourselves. This is not about us; this is about being witnesses for Christ in our friendship circles and workplaces, in our schools and pursuits.
We should not be embarrassed or ashamed; the news we bear is important, vital and soul-saving. Let’s throw off the discomfort and pride that impedes us. Let’s embrace our commission anew; let us witness for Christ with the urgency that it deserves.