Preach the gospel

Mark 16:15&16 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 

I have a friend who rejects the basic premise of Christianity. We have enjoyed some interesting discussions. He tries to apply human reasoning to rules that God has set. He has trouble grasping that God sets the rules because God is God and we are not. My friend, a very generous and kind-hearted person, is of the belief that there must be another one way to get to heaven different than believing in Christ. His approach is to do many acts of kindness. He believes in God, but not that we are forgiven and saved by Christ. Do you know anyone like my friend?

When preaching the Gospel to those who do not accept the Gospel, we often find ourselves in the same boat as Moses when he was trying to convince Pharaoh to free the Israelites. We can talk until we are blue in the face to our friends and not make headway.  And as long as we are relying on our words to make a difference, our results will have little chance of succeeding. Yet, when we put aside our pride, accept that we are not in charge and ask in prayer we can succeed. We can find hope in several verses from scripture.  First, the Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:19 of the importance of praying for the right words. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. Secondly, in John 14:12&13 Jesus tells us “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, to that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” And finally, there is the story of Moses from Exodus 4:10-12 Moses said to the Lord, "Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." The Lord said to him, "Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." The Lord will give us the words to speak in love to those who need to hear the Gospel. Have faith in the Lord, and try prayer before speaking. 

PRAYER: Father, we are often at a loss for words, or try the wrong words – our own words when sharing the Gospel. We need Your words of love, hope, and forgiveness to be heard. Give us Your words today, and everyday. We ask this in the name of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.