Thank you: To all Christian believers who are not ashamed of the Bible, who love our Lord Jesus Christ, and who take the time to share the Gospel.  Thank you for not hiding the gift and the grace.

Every living thing on this planet has a purpose, a function, a work to do.  We may not always appreciate the work of some insects, or the working of law enforcement, or even the work of those who tell us the truth about ourselves, and about life.

But I rejoice to see redeemed human beings using the gifts and abilities they have for the glory of God.  I praise God for every true Christian believer who uses their time and skills in meaningful ways to help others.  Some work hard to feed the hungry.  Others labor to provide shelter for the homeless and poor.  Others work to encourage other believers in the Christian faith.  And some willingly take on the thankless task of shining the light of the Gospel with friends and even strangers.

Let me say, as one believer to another, "Thank you for not hiding the grace and mercies of God.  Thank you for bringing it to a place where many can see and be helped.” 

Some of the people who complain now will one day return to do the same work of the Gospel.  Just as I can remember mocking and tormenting those who stood on street corners in downtown Houston, Texas, handing out leaflets and trying to share their faith with any who would listen.  Few listened.  But God was glorified in the witness they gave.  And He grabbed hold of some of us...

Sharing the Gospel is not always easy -- not at work, at school, at home, in our neighborhoods, or among the old gang of buddies we once ran with.  It can sometimes be a chore, a duty we have, a labor and work.  But it is also a high calling, a true ministry.  And it is always a privilege and honor to serve God by being a faithful witness to His salvation in Jesus Christ.

By the prophet Jeremiah, God speaks in the ancient Hebrew Scriptures these powerful words:

"Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has My Word speak My Word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? says the LORD.  Is not My Word like fire, says the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?"   (Jeremiah 23:28,29)

Other people can only spout off ideas and complaints. Unbelievers have no message of eternal value, and they seldom have a message that truly helps anyone at all.  They promote the selfish whims and glory of man, the concerns and the temporal hopes of this passing age. 

Only true believers have a word or message that can save human beings from ruin and eternal darkness.  The power of God is in the Gospel to save and transform human lives (see Romans 1:16-18).  When a person believes God, everything changes for the good, and new things begin to happen -- eternal things.

Every believer has the message that can change the world for the good.  The world is not being changed very much for good right now -- in recent years -- because too many believers are hiding what we have.  Too often we’re afraid to speak up, unwilling to be ridiculed and mocked, too timid to take God's gift out to those who still desperately need it.

If you're a Christian believer thinking of holding back, you’re not alone.  Many are doing just that.  But consider the great gift you have, and what Jesus has to say about it.

The Lord Jesus Christ once told this story:

"For it [the kingdom of God] is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

"The one who received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

"After a long time the master of those slaves returned and settled accounts with them.  Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I've made another five talents.’

"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you've been trustworthy in a few things, I'll put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

"Then the one with the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents.  See, I've made two more talents.’

"His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you've been trustworthy in a few things, I'll put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

"But then the one who had received the one talent also came forward.  And He said, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed; so I was afraid.  I went and hid your talent in the ground.  Here, you still have what is yours.’

"But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter?  Then you should have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would've received what was my own, with interest. 

"Now, take this talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance.  But from the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.  As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ "   (from Matthew's Gospel, chapter 24, vv. 14-30)

May we each be faithful to share in whatever way we can, using the gifts God gives to help those around us.  May we be willing to labor in God’s field, scattering the good seed of the true Word of God.  Amen.

Jim