"Can’t Be Overshared"
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As a new parent, it seemed like every conversation with family and friends eventually led to some embarrassing discussion about vomit, gas, or destructive diaper detonations. Gross! Moms and dads love to overshare about their newborn war stories as if it were normal dinner conversation — but some things just can't be unheard. Although oversharing can lead to some awkward moments, some conversations can't be shared enough!
This year we're Cross Training to develop twelve marks of the Master, beginning with faith, which encompasses our belief, trust, loyalty, and willingness to share our faith. This week, let's explore the need to reach out to others about our belief in the Lord.
What You Need to Know
Genuine faith leads us to speak. Our faith has to travel the distance from our heart to our mouth or, frankly, it will not save us.
"But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved" (Rom. 10:8-10).
When we confess Jesus Christ as Lord, we announce our allegiance to him. In elementary school, many of us mindlessly recited the pledge of allegiance. But we can't think of "the good confession" (1 Tim. 6:12) as mere words or even magic words that save us while costing us nothing. When we declare our belief, trust, and loyalty to the Lord, we take our stand with God's anointed King.
And while that saving confession is part of our conversion, disciples don't make a one-time acknowledgment of our Master and then keep him a secret for the rest of our lives. Jesus says he'll acknowledge before the Father everyone that publicly acknowledges him (Matt. 10:32-33). It might cost you a lot, maybe even your closest relationships, but it's worth it (Matt. 10:34-39).
So we own Christ out of love for him, but we also owe a debt of love to others to share the gospel (Rom. 1:14-17)! We received a gift we can't pay for; the best we can do is pass it on! Paul couldn't separate his faith in Christ from expressing it to others. Can we say with him, "we also believe, and so we also speak" (2 Cor. 4:13)?
What You Need to Do
Not everyone has a talent for teaching (Rom. 12:5-8; James 3:1), but we all can express the excellence of God (1 Peter 2:9-10). Some evangelize naturally, while most of us stretch outside our comfort zone to speak up, always honing our skills, working hard to develop a readiness to answer people's questions (1 Peter 3:14-17).
When you feel pressured to silently hide your faith, recognize who's behind it, and refuse to "be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs" (2 Cor. 2:11). Let's pray with the early church, "grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness" (Acts 4:29). God answered their prayer, and even as persecution scattered them, they "went about preaching the word" (Acts 8:4). May we find the courage and love to do the same.
Through the Week
- Read (Mon) — John 4:4-42; Matt. 5:14-16; Acts 17:22-31; 2 Cor. 4:13-18; 1 Peter 3:14-17
- Reflect (Tue) — What "baskets" keep my light from shining in the darkness?
- Request (Wed) — "Oh Lord, I call upon your name. Embolden me to speak of your deeds to everyone I meet!" (cf. Psalm 105:1).
- Respond (Thu) — Find a way to mention the Lord to at least two people today.
- Reach Out (Fri) — What have you used as a launchpad for spiritual discussions?
