Gift Worth Sharing
By Kyle Blackwell
If you are a believer in Christ then you have already received the greatest gift that God can offer. The second greatest gift is being able to share the Love that God has gifted you. Think about it, when you met the love of your life it was a high you will never forget. And being able to share that high with others at work the next day was almost as great as the actual encounter the day before. Why can’t we do this for our Jesus? The truth is that all too often we go through a number of reasons why not to share the Gospel with co-workers, friends and family. However, it is a believer’s privilege and duty to share the Gospel to the world.
In Matthew 28:19 Jesus said “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations”. By the use of the word “GO”, Jesus gave a command. If you read the story of Paul and his transformation in the book of Acts, you will find that he immediately went into the streets and synagogues to begin preaching the Gospel. God opened his eyes to see Jesus in every part of scripture. By scripture, I mean the Tanakh, or the Old Testament.
From Genesis to Malachi, you find Jesus embedded throughout every single book. Some instances are very revealing, others you have to dig a little deeper. In Isaiah 53, it is clear that Isaiah talks about the suffering servant giving His life for the sins of the world. Whereas in Exodus 27, we find that the bronze altar was built of acacia wood and bronze. The altar represents Jesus. The bronze represents His divinity while the acacia wood represents His humanity.
When I share the Gospel I will use both the Old and New Testaments, and sometimes my testimony. And while the other person is talking I am always praying and listening. Praying for discernment; listening to their heart. The main thing is to allow Holy Spirit to take control. After all, you are only a vessel. When you gave your life to Christ, you became a new creation, created in Christ to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). And those good works were created for you long before you were ever created.
It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing Philippians 2:13-14
This verse means so much to me because it takes me back to when my baby girl was born. Ana and I were on our way to the hospital because she was having contractions only a few minutes apart. She wanted to stop and get a Gatorade, she hates the yellow. So, I stopped at the 76 at the Dry Pond exit on 85. There was a worrisome individual sitting down in front of one of the doors and I felt Holy Spirit nudging me to speak to them. I could see that they were dealing with some kind of demon because I do pray for discernment everyday. I looked and saw they had food and clean clothes. So, I figured they were not homeless. Maybe they came across the street from one of the warehouses? I kept making excuses for why not to talk to them. And I thought about Ana being in pain.
I hate passing up an opportunity to witness to people, especially when I feel Holy Spirit telling me to share the Gospel. It is my passion. God gave me a heart of compassion for lost souls. However, on October 7 2021 I rejected the gift of sharing my Jesus to someone in need. I thought about it everyday for about a week. I felt worried for that individual. Now, God uses this example as a remembrance when I try to think of excuses why not to share Jesus Christ and His awesome resurrecting power.
Paul told the Philippians that God works in them for His will. And then he told them to do all things without grumbling or disputing. The thing that bugs me the most is the fact I kept using so many excuses even though I have the most God loving wife in the world. Even though she was in pain, she would not have minded me taking a couple minutes to share Jesus with a suffering someone.
The good thing that came out of this story is Holy Spirit reminds me every time He wants me to do His will. I took the boys fishing to Nancytown Lake earlier this year. We were ready to go and there was a man who would not stop talking with me. Holy Spirit reminded me of that day in October. The man kept talking about fishing and where he retired. All the while I was praying. I said okay God, I’m ready but you need to show me how to segway into the Gospel. I tried to divert the subject but the guy just would not listen. Then it hit me so quickly. He kept saying that he used to be a publisher for Northeast Georgia. Boom! That is what I needed. I told him about my website and how I love to write as well. I was able to share my testimony with him and love of Jesus Christ. I gave him one of my cards for this website and asked him to read my articles. Who knows, he may be reading right now.
When you trust in the Lord, you truly can do all things through Christ who gives you strength (Philippians 4:13).
This next part may be a little harsh but I really do not care. My website, inspired by God.
If you are a new creation in Christ, God called you for a purpose. That purpose was not to be some jelly belly, marshmallow, cookie cutter, cupcake Christian. You were created to be a warrior. You were predestined to do the will of God. Jesus said that if you love me, obey my commands (John 14:15). Jesus told His disciples to GO. Paul said, faith, hope and love abide; these three, but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13). How can you have love in your heart and not have a compassion to share the very thing that brings you love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfullness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22-23)? Peter said, in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). The Boy Scout’s motto is Be Prepared. That should also be the Christian’s motto.
This world is our battleground for souls and Jesus left us with a gift. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27). So what does this mean? Jesus left us with the most powerful force, Holy Spirit. In other parts of the BIble, Jesus calls Holy Spirit the Comforter. This is not a pillow creature or a blanket that makes you feel better when you feel bad. Oh no! Comfort comes from the Latin word “Fortis”, which means strong. It is where we get the word fortitude and fortress. Military terms? Now you are getting the picture. If you are Chritstian, you have the power of Holy Spirit residing deep within your soul and you cannot be shaken. You were not meant to sit on the sidelines for that only grieves Him. You were created to do God’s Holy and Good Work.
So, I leave you with this. If you are truly a Christian, what is your purpose? I do not care what you used to do for His kingdom. What is your purpose now? I think of people like Billy Graham. He never gave up sharing the Gospel. He was created for God’s Will to be done. You were too!
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge -Hosea 4:6
