“And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say: ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’” (Romans 10:15 NLT)
In yesterday’s post we looked at how vitally important it is to share our faith in Christ with those in our spheres of influence. Many faithful believers believe their life will give expression to their salvation and faith in Jesus, and it does! But our lifestyle won’t answer the questions people who are lost are asking.
A few weeks ago, I invited a neighbor who grew up under Hindu teaching, to a men’s breakfast at our church. He’s only in his 40’s, but having had a stroke, his cognitive ability is limited. I’ve given him a Bible, showed him where to start reading, and followed up with him to see if he has questions, but progress is very slow.
On the ride home I asked him if he had any questions about what he’d heard at breakfast, but he had none. I’ve spoken with him before about Jesus, but I tried to break it down into simple statements. I told Him that Jesus was God in human form, that He came to earth to give visibility to the invisible God. That He was born as a man, but never sinned. “Never?” he asked.
The point is, take it slow, but steady with your friends and loved ones. We can’t really know what someone is thinking or believing unless we take the time and make the effort to ask and listen to them. I’ve often found that what I thought someone thought or believed wasn’t even close to what they actually believed.
The Lord has also given me insight to understand that people are a lot more open to speak with me than I thought. It’s ironic that we have more and simpler ways to communicate today, but people are much lonelier than ever before. The suicide rates are the highest in history, reaching more than fifty thousand in America alone last year.
While people need Jesus more than ever before, we’re less likely to share Him. My friend expressed sincere interest as he listened in the car and the Lord has prompted me to set a time with his mom, with whom he lives, and share the Lord with both of them. Will they listen and find hope in Jesus? I pray they will, but I know this – they likely never will if I don’t give them opportunity!
Who in your spheres of influence is the Lord laying on your heart? When the Scripture says: “And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?” that doesn’t necessarily have reference to another person or organization. It can mean the Holy Spirit can and will choose you to share Christ’s love with someone. It can be someone you know – a family member or friend – or a complete stranger.
A word of caution: If you choose to write something rather than speaking in person, write out what you want to say, set it aside for a day or two, then reread it to make sure you’re expressing exactly what the Lord is saying. I go over these blog articles many times before I post them and still miss things I should have changed or said differently.
The point is, we must be about our Father’s business! We must be making efforts every day to reach out to those who are “clinging to the tail of the plane,” waiting to be rescued. The greatest treasure we can ever invest in heaven are the ones we’re privileged to lead to Jesus, realizing we’re simply the “glove,” Jesus is the “Hand” that leads the way and changes their life. We’re the instrument, not the sculpter.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 