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by Pastor
Melvin E. Barnett
What
fun is it to have a love and keep it all to ourselves? If we can’t
find friends to share our love with we may resort to searching the
Internet for groups and like-minded communities to join. People
naturally share their love for family, food, fun and material
items.
Not only do people
share what they love, but they share what excites them. For
example, most people I know if they were shopping and found an
unbelievable bargain, they would immediately call their friends or
family to share their find. Some of them would go so far as to make
multiple purchases of the bargain item to give or exchange with
others.
Unlike the great
bargains people have a will to share, I am convinced that many
Christians do not posses the love and/or excitement they should for
the Lord. Why do I assert this point? It’s simple -- because if
someone really fell in love with Christ they would tell others. If
they really enjoy their church they will invite others just as they
would if it were a great restaurant they discovered. Some would
argue that they feel clueless as to how they should testify of
spiritual matters. This point sounds great on the surface; however,
most people aren’t chefs yet they have no problem sharing their love
for a particular food they enjoy. We drive our favorite automobiles
and tell others all about the quality drive and maintenance free
years we enjoy, yet are we an auto mechanic?
If we can truly
celebrate our salvation and the other wonderful blessings we have
received, we don’t have to be a theologian to tell others. Our Love
for the Lord in what He has done in our lives should be reason
enough for all to share their testimony. My friend, God uses people
to perpetuate His Kingdom, not only through ministers, but through
all who have received His glorious Grace that is freely given.
Perhaps fear may be
a factor as to why many do not share the “Good News” with others. I
would agree that this is a valid point for many. However, the
wonderful Master we serve is big enough to give us courage over our
fears if we would simply ask (2 Timothy 1:7-9). Some fear they
would stumble over words in front of others. It can and does
happen; but we are human and must accept our weaknesses and resolve
to defeat weakness and emerge victoriously.
The Kingdom of God
needs you and me spreading the Word. You and I have received the
ultimate bargain -- we were given Eternal Life by simply asking.
Not only did we receive Eternal Life, but Jesus Christ has returned
to heaven to build us a mansion (John 14:2). As a bonus, we are
promised healing through the atonement (1 Peter 2:24). Our love
for God should be reciprocated in our commitment to share His love
with others just as He has shared his love with us. It’s not only
the right thing to share the Gospel, but a command given by Jesus
Christ Himself before He ascended back into heaven (Mark 16:15).
I assert that the
churches would be filled if we told as many people about what God
has done in our lives as we do about the sales at the discount
bargain store where we shop. God loved us even when we were
sinners, and today He wants us to share that love with others; after
all, our friend’s and family’s eternity depend on it. |