FILLED TO FILL OTHERS
He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to Him, and He was teaching them. And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” And he rose and followed Him. And as He reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and His disciples, for there were many who followed Him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that He was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to His disciples, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Mark 2:13-17 (ESV)
I believe the story of Jesus is just too good to keep to ourselves. Sharing our faith isn’t a burden when you realize how good the story is. When I experience a restaurant, a song, a book or a place that impacts me, I naturally tend to share it with others. Think of evangelism this way. It’s not just apologetics; it’s not just doctrine; it’s not just about being a light; it’s not just about being bold; instead, it’s about telling others of something that has radically impacted our lives. The truth is people can argue theology and Bible verses, but no one can argue the power of a transformed life. Also, I rarely take it personally if someone doesn’t like my restaurants, music, or books because I know how much it impacted me, and I often think it's their loss. I say that not to be harsh, but one of the greatest fears people have is sharing their faith because they fear rejection or failure. Often, I think this can be a tactic of Satan to cause us to overthink sharing our faith.
In the story above, Matthew, the tax collector, gives his life to Jesus; he becomes a follower of Jesus. Once he encounters Jesus, he believes the story of Jesus is too good to keep to himself, so he invites all his friends to hear and meet Jesus. He throws a Matthew party, and his friends are now surrounded by Jesus and His disciples. Take the stigma out of sharing your story of faith. It's your story, and some won't follow, but others, I believe, will experience the goodness of God because of your testimony. The story of Jesus is too good to keep to ourselves, so share how God has changed your life to those who are in your life.
APPLICATION: Look for the people God puts in your path today and share a few small things to point them to Jesus!
PRAYER: Ask God to give you a boldness to share how Jesus has changed your life. Ask Him to remove a fear of failure or rejection. Ask Him to give you spiritual eyes to see who God has placed in your path to share God’s love with.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?