Toss That Jacket!

If you were sitting in a rescue boat in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by people drowning, would you hesitate to toss out life jackets, worried about hitting someone in the head and of the ridicule that might follow? Or would you take action, knowing that the jackets could save lives?

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important truth in the world. Yet, I have found myself becoming complacent within my safe Christian circle, convinced that I’m doing enough by serving my local church. However, Jesus didn’t say, ” Go therefore and become complacent serving your local church.”

In 1 Thessalonians 1:8, the Apostle Paul commended the believers in Thessalonica for their faithfulness in proclaiming the gospel. He recognized that they were not keeping the word of the Lord to themselves, but rather, it was sounding forth from Macedonia and Achaia. They were not just talking about their faith within their own group, but they were actively sharing it with others.

I have to be honest; sometimes, the responsibility to share the gospel with the world, or at all, feels overwhelming. I’m embarrassed that I so often sit back and remain silent while people around me are dying without hope. My fear of sharing and proclaiming God’s truth is a tragedy and a form of un-belief. We have so many resources that make sharing these truths easier than ever. Failing to use all available resources to spread the message of Jesus Christ is a shame.

Please, Lord, help me to not hesitate in the lifeboat. Help me to not fail to throw out the life jackets. Help me be like the faithful believers in Thessalonica, who sounded forth the word of the Lord everywhere. Help me break out of my safe Christian bubble and actively share the gospel with those who need it most. Help me to utilize all available resources to boldly and persistently share the good news of Jesus Christ!

In Him, with love

mike