SPEAKING ABOUT JESUS
“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.”–Jeremiah 20:9–10
I read about a little five-year-old girl named Hannah who came to her mother one morning and said, “Mommy, I think Jesus has moved out of my heart.” The mother was concerned about her daughter’s understanding of salvation and security, so she asked the little girl where she thought Jesus had gone. Hannah replied, “Oh Jesus is still inside me. I think He moved to my throat because all I want to do is tell people about Him!”
There are some places in the world today where witnessing must be done with care and caution to avoid persecution or even murder. But that is not why most of us do not witness as we should. We face no serious harassment from sharing the gospel. Someone might say something unkind or even slam a door in our face, although even that is fairly uncommon. We are certainly not facing the kind of threats and violence that often greeted the early followers of Jesus when they told others about Him.
So why are so many Christians silent when it comes to the most important message we can share with others? While there are many causes, the root is found in the heart. If we have appreciation for our own salvation and an understanding of the fate of those without Christ, we will be motivated to be witnesses for Christ. It is not laws that keep us from being faithful witnesses but coldness of the heart. (Daily in the Word)
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
