11-3-3 PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN LIFE: PREACHING

One of the great temptations which arises from knowing the true God is to become spiritually selfish. We can be so satisfied with our own personal relationship with God, so absorbed in our own personal Bible study and spirituality, that we can neglect to share these things with others - both our fellow-believers and the world around us. The Word of God and the true Gospel which is found in it, is likened to a light or lamp burning in the darkness (Ps. 119:105; Prov. 4:18). Jesus pointed out that no one who has such a light places it under a bucket, but publicly displays it (Mt. 5:15). “You are the light of the world” by reason of being baptised into Christ, “the light of the world” (Mt. 5:14; Jn. 8:12). “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden”, Christ continued (Mt. 5:14).

If we really live a life according to the true Gospel which we understand, our ‘holiness’ will be evident to those with whom we live. We will be unable to disguise the fact that we are ‘separated to’ the hope of the Kingdom, and also ‘separated from’ their worldly ways.

In a tactful way we should seek to share our knowledge of the Lord with all those with whom we come into contact: turning conversations round to spiritual things; discussing Scripture with members of other churches; distributing tracts, and even placing small advertisements in our local media, are all ways in which we can let our light shine. We should not think that we can leave the work of witnessing to other believers; we each have an individual responsibility. We each, individually, do what we can, largely at our own personal expense.

One of the most successful ways of preaching is through explaining our beliefs to our families and those with whom we are in immediate contact. Those whose partners are not in the faith should clearly explain their beliefs to them, although once this has been done it is unwise to keep raising the issues or exert any pressure upon them. Pressurised converts are not what God wants. Our duty is to witness to the Truth without overdue concern about how much response we achieve. We have a great responsibility to make this witness (Ez. 3:17-21); if Christ comes in our lifetime “two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left” (Lk. 17:36). It would be strange indeed if we had not spoken to our family and work colleagues about our Lord’s second coming when this occurs.