The other day I went to the grocery store early in the day, right after putting my kiddos on the school bus. I love shopping then because the store is just about empty. I loved shopping even more when I was leaving the store and outside they were giving away FREE BACON. And it wasn't just any bacon. We've been on a pretty tight budget the past few months and I've eaten some pretty substandard bacon. This bacon, though, was thick, meaty, name brand bacon. Not only did I get free bacon, but I got coupons for the good bacon, which means that for at least the next few weeks, good bacon is now in my price range. Mmmm...bacon. Seriously....free bacon made my day.
And what did I do when I got home from the grocery, before I even put my groceries away? I posted on facebook to tell everyone that they were giving away free bacon outside of the Mt. Orab Krogers! How can you not share that kind of good news???
Some people may think my love of bacon is a little odd, but let's say they had been giving out a million dollars. All you had to do was get in the car, drive up there, and you were a million dollars richer. Would you just go and get your money and then go home and not tell another person about it? What if your best friend were about to lose their house, if they were going hungry because they couldn't afford food? Would you be able to just sit at home and not tell them where to go to get all the money they'll need to solve their money problems?
Let's go one step further. Say your best friend, or even your child, is dying of cancer. There is one cure, only one cure, and you know where they can go to get that cure. Do you share where to find the cure with them, or do you sit at home and not say anything? Sure, if you share with them about where to find the cure, then you are implying that they need a cure, which implies that they are sick and need help. But do you speak up or does fear that they may be offended at you pointing out their sickness keep you quiet?
Obviously, you speak up. You don't worry about trampling egos. You don't worry about how they feel about you or how that might change. You save a life. You guide them toward the million dollars. You tell them where to find free bacon. No question. The decision is obvious.
Then why is it so hard for us to share our faith with others? If we really believe there is only one way to eternal life and it is through Jesus Christ and everyone else will suffer death and the pain of eternal separation from the Lord, then why do we not share the good news of the free gift of salvation that we would share about the good news of the free gift of bacon?
As Christians, we have nothing to fear when it comes to death or the end of the world. If we have given our lives to Christ, then we are prepared. We are saved by grace because of our faith. We know where we are going to spend eternity. We should feel secure. But there are plenty of people around us who are not secure.
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus says, " Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This is called the Great Commission, and it was Jesus' last command before ascending into Heaven.
We need to obey Christ and spread the good news of the Gospel to all we know. This isn't just our religion. This isn't just something we do on Sunday or something we do privately in our own home. In fact, it has very little to do with us! It has to do with Almighty God. It has to do with Christ, who went to the Cross for us. Do we love our Savior enough to put ourselves on the line and do our part to help bring His children, His creation, back into relationship with Him?
Evangelizing is not about us. It's not even so much about the person we are helping to bring to Christ. It is about obedience and devotion to our Lord. It's about showing love and honor to our Savior. One of the highest forms of praise and worship we can show is to believe so much in what Christ has done for us that we lay all that we are on the line to bring that same Grace to others that need it.
Do your part to help as many people as possible to no longer fear the end of the world.
Activity: Have a spiritual conversation with one person that is a non-Christian. You don't need to necessarily try to convert them in one conversation, but at least stretch yourself to bring up spiritual topics.
Prayer: Pray that God gives you whatever words you need to say to whoever you end up speaking with. Ask that the Holy Spirit take you over and use you to say what the other person needs to hear. Also pray for the confidence to share about your belief in Christ with others.
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