“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” That is the question in Isaiah 6:8.
Being a loner, I was once afraid of living this life. But the more I live the life of faith, the more freeing it is. I’ve heard all the things people say we have to do to bring the gospel to the world, and being a man that didn’t speak much and was socially challenged, you know…
But when Jesus said, “Go into all the world and make disciples”, we need to sit down and understand what that means. Frightening words, right? Tell people about Jesus. Everyone has a different idea; we must be ministers or pastors or bible workers, or something in the church.
The real deal is the children of God don’t need any other office or title than believing and being saved. And telling people about Jesus is different in every situation. Our testimony at times can be wordless. When our actions display the love God lavished on us, we have spoken a more powerful testimony than a thousand words could.
What is our testimony?
Our primary testimony is our lives and the way we treat those whom we interact with. When we get the chance we tell them about the kingdom of heaven, and about Jesus Christ, the only way to make it into the kingdom of heaven. The primary command is to love our neighbors (people all over) as ourselves.
When we follow the command to love our neighbor, telling people about Jesus becomes simple. Our love extended to others allows the Lord to work in the hearts of others and so we wait, instead of shouting in people’s faces about death and damnation. Sure, death and hades are aimed at earth, but the action of love allows us to do more than shouting.
Shouting in the streets is still needed today. We don’t have to win; we only need to plant the seed and talk to people, like they’re people. Some of whom have problems like we all find ourselves in every day. Frightening, but give the Lord time and practice what you hope for in faith and allow the Lord to establish your testimony to the people of the world you live around.
Finally, we keep hearing “don’t hang out with non-believers”. 1 Corinthians corrects that by “Not meaning the people of this world”, but those who say they believe and remain immoral, unless they repent. But if you are friends with people who do not believe, give them time to see the light in you. Allow the Lord to plant the seed, but don’t go back to practicing what they do. Let your character shine without condemning words.
By doing this you allow the Lord to use your gift to offer a kind word and testimony when the time comes.
Testifying about Jesus takes time and patience, it’s an act that is always in development. A mentoring brother or sister can help too. But you do not have to sit on the sidelines or rush ahead to tell people about Jesus. Give Him your heart and allow the Lord to establish what He will within you. When we do that rather than trying to do it ourselves, we find a greater strength at work.
As for the faithful who do the work, much respect. When you hear the call to step forward. Don’t worry. You are God’s chosen people and He will establish what he has for you to do whether you have a title in church or not.
Now you know you can say “I will go, Lord, send me”.
