Why Can A Christian Not Keep Quiet About Announcing The Gospel?
Good Morning Friends,
Talking about Jesus serves multiple purposes. Sometimes the action helps protect the Christian and also to evangelize to others. At other times testifying to Christ’s resurrection can be at the cost of one’s life. Still while we breathe we are to continue announcing the Gospel, interceding for others while still hoping. Pope Francis recently gave a homily on how Christ’s intercession for us, our intercessory prayer for others, and the dimension of hope converge in the sharing of the Gospel. Indeed we are to have the courage to share the good news, for it is an act of intercession that brings hope. The trinity of the actions brings a tangible dimension to the practice of witnessing activated by the Holy Spirit. In recognition of this process today we seek an answer to the question related to our proficiency in glorifying God: Why Can A Christian Not Keep Quiet About Announcing The Gospel?
Scripture: but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;
1 Peter 3:15 (NRSV)
Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should. Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:2-6 (NRSV)
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone,
1 Timothy 2:1 (NRSV)
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”
Luke 19:39-40 (NRSV)
Message: Paul challenges us to pray with devotion and intercessions so the Gospel message will go out clearly as we give out grace to those who do not yet know the hope of Christ. We are called to be earnest, persistent, active in, unwearied and intent on prayer. Here we learn to pray with a thankful heart so that we might reach those who do not know Christ. In addition, Paul tells us that we must have a passion in our lives that embodies scripture… as the Word of Christ dwells in us… even as His peace rules in us. To do our part is to introduce others to the scripture of Christ in us. Peter extends this principle which gently guides us to have a spirit of courtesy with anyone interested in the way of hope. Friends, share the reason for our faith. Sow seeds of hope. Both Peter and Paul changed their approach to interacting with people on the subject of the mystery of Christ. They changed from being enforcers of the faith to bearers of the truth. Today’s devotional and scripture guides us, in our acts of evangelism and encouragement of people on the journey… to act with wisdom, with prayer, with gentleness and respect. Friends, there comes a time when somebody needs to say something and sometimes it is you and sometimes it is me and when moved by the Holy Spirit we are not to deny the power in the moment. We are not and indeed cannot in those moments keep quite. God hardens some hearts into stone and then has these stones shout out the truth of Jesus. Here we begin to discover the God-given, Spirit-empowered ability to understand and apply truth to our lives in ways that bring glory to God. Friends, if the announcement of Jesus is evident in your life… If your relationship with Jesus acknowledges that He intercedes for you…If you have hope and truly believe that the Lord is alive… If you believe that Jesus prays to the Father on your behalf… If you believe Jesus will come again, then how can you keep it to yourself? If this is salvation and you believe it and love others it is impossible to keep quiet.
Pray we are welcoming to others as we would be to Christ. Pray that we humble ourselves before God, so that He doesn’t have to do it for us. Pray we boast only in the Lord. Pray that we respond when called. Pray that we are obedient in sharing the good news. Pray that the Holy Spirit lead us through the Word. Pray that His principles become in us power to flow out in Kingdom work sharing the good news. Pray that we become examples of God’s blessings before others. Pray that our attitudes are right. Pray that the promises of God speak to our hearts. Pray that God gives us proper perspective on His Kingdom and His church. Pray that we rejoice in the fact that the Lord is our spiritual strength. Pray that we remember the promises of the Lord and His commands so that His joy might be in us. Pray we commit our way to the Lord and trust in Him. Pray we refuse to worry. Pray that the joy in us be used as a witness. Pray
for those that need a sign of hope. Pray that you will be a vessel to share that hope effectively. Pray we have courage to announce the Good News of Jesus. Pray we experience an intercessor who shares God’s Peace at just the right time in just the right way. Pray we stop speaking defeat in our life and instead announce the victory of Jesus. Pray we realize that if Christ is in us he will overflow into our relationships with others.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 