Someone recently asked the question; “Is there enough evidence
in your life that would convict you of being a Christian?” I meditated on the question for a bit. There are many paths it could take.
First, I thought of the countries that struggle with the
ability to openly share their Christian faith.
Did you know that more than 80% of the world’s governments
interfered with their citizens worship in some way in 2019?
That was 2019…
This is 2022… not
much has changed.
This is a map of countries in blue where Christianity is
illegal in 2022
It may be difficult to determine whether Christianity is
illegal or legal in a country because the local laws can contradict themselves. Some countries say they have freedom of
religion, however if it interferes with the local government, it can be considered
harmful to the country.
This is happening today in many countries and they covets your
prayers. I can’t imagine being persecuted
because of my faith or hindered from reading my bible in public.
This subject tugs at my heart because I had a fourteen-year-old
teen who went on a missions trip to Hong Kong in 1997 during the transfer from British
rule back to China. The stories he
brought back were both scary and amazing.
Bibles were smuggled into the China and the Gospel was preached on the
streets of Hong Kong daily. God was with
that team throughout the entire three-month trip.
Back to the US. Back
to my backyard.
What are we doing that would ‘convict’ us as a Christian?
The ability to read our bible doesn’t break US laws, yet. We won't go down that rabbit hole today.
This question above must go deeper than the cross around our neck
or the music we listen to. What does scripture
say? “You will know them by their fruit.”
Good trees bear good fruit.
What fruit am I producing? Does it edify the body of Christ? As we plant seeds and water them in others for the Lord, we will eventually see the harvest. Not by our hands, but by our willingness to be an instrument for the Lord. We must be bold as we share the Good News. Time is short.
God has called us to step out for Him. He has given each one of us a gift or talent. How are we using it for Him? We will be accountable for the gifts He has given us. Remember Matthew 25 and the parable of the bags of gold? We are accountable for even the small things. We are not all called to be Billy Graham. But we are all called to use the talent God gave us.
Plant a seed… Water a
plant… Pray for the harvest…
So, can we be convicted by our fruit? If so, praise God!
If not, step back a moment and pray. Ask God to show you how to be bolder for Him. We are all a work in progress. Don’t be hard on yourself.
You are not expected to be perfect, just willing. We will all be perfect when we are face to face with the Father.
In the meantime, press on with me my friend...
1 Corinthians 3:7
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is
anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
Matthew 7:16-20
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick
grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears
good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit
is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize
them.
Matthew 25:21
“His master replied,
‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few
things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s
happiness!’
No comments:
Post a Comment