What do you believe?

I believed and so I spoke– 2 Corinthians 4:13

Paul believed what was written in scripture. He just got through telling the Corinthians that the precious treasure of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was given to mere men and women to share with the World. The gospel is the greatest truth given to man because  it is the only truth that brings eternal life with God. Through the gospel people are freed from the     power of sin and death (Rom. 8:2), released from condemnation (Rom. 8:1), transformed into the     image of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18), and given eternal joy, peace, and satisfaction. Yet,     amazingly, that priceless gospel treasure is            contained in simple earthen vessels, you, me,         and every other believer.

 

It is true that we are salt and light in the world and the way we live our lives can draw people to Jesus but we will never lead someone to Christ by just the way we live. Too many times I’ve heard well-meaning Christians say things like, “I don’t like to  upset my family so I don’t talk about Jesus I just let them see how I live my life” or “I am an introvert    and just don’t like talking to other people”.

In 1993, 89% of Christians who had shared their faith believed it was their personal responsibility. In a poll taken in 2018 only 64% felt it was the responsibility of Christians to share their faith. I can only surmise that it even less today in 2020. Yet, Paul reminds us that he believed in the scriptures and the Gospel and he felt compelled to preach and to share the   Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What do you believe Christian? Do you believe the Gospel?  Can you say as Paul, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16).  What say you, can you proclaim as Paul, “I believed and so I spoke. That very verse is hung above my office door. Every time I preach on Sunday morning I am reminded how blessed I am to proclaim the Gospel and woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel.

Be encouraged by the words of Paul to the Church in Corinth, “7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be        manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are    always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake,     so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but    life in you.” 2 Cor. 4:7-12.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark