In recent days and weeks, I’ve been hearing this word “urgent” as it relates to both the readiness of our hearts and the preparedness for those around us as we consider faith in Jesus Christ. I have no idea when Jesus is coming back…could be in 2025, 2026, or a hundred years from now. There is the tension of both wanting Him to come back (“I’m ready to see Jesus”) and the feeling of, “Lord I just want to grow old and see my kids grow up and have their own kids…”. Maybe you can identify with both of those thoughts as well.
As I think more upon this however, I realize Paul was right:
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. Philippians 1:21-23
If I live, I do so for the sake of Christ and choose “fruitful labor.” But it’s much better to be with Him. To go to Heaven. To see that great reward. Yes, even better than seeing kids and grandkids grow up. That’s just being real and honest. Nothing, no nothing in this life comes close to being with Jesus and in His presence.
So today’s blog is a bit of a spin on all of this. We don’t have much time. Whether we live to 70 or 80 or shorter (or if Christ comes tomorrow), the time is short. In the span of eternity, it is very short. So that makes our message all the more urgent. All the more important. And my urge to you (and myself) is “Are we sharing it? Are we sensing the urgency and making the most of each day?” I’ll be honest, I’m not using the time as wisely as I should. I’m not being as intentional as I could be. Let’s discuss this further and look at some practical steps as we consider the urgent Gospel.
“If by excessive labor, we die before the average age of man, worn out in the Master’s service, then glory be to God, we shall have so much less of earth and so much more of Heaven… It is our duty and our privilege to exhaust our lives for Jesus. We are not to be living specimens of men in fine preservation, but living sacrifices, whose lot is to be consumed.” Charles Spurgeon
1.Because the Gospel is urgent, we must know it well
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15
This verse from 1 Peter has been one I have shared often and it seems to always surface when having these discussions about sharing our faith. I love it because Peter’s charge is so clear: Always be ready. Why? Because you never know what today might hold. The interactions. The conversations. The chance encounters that you didn’t plan for. Into those moments, there is an opportunity. A God-appointed circumstance in which He is put on display. We weren’t looking for it. We didn’t expect it. But God did.
I think of strong men and women in the faith who do this on a regular basis. They will simply share Jesus. Everywhere. They might be in line at the grocery store. Talking to a server at the restaurant. Striking up a conversation while attending a chid’s football game. And into the middle of that one-on-one event is Jesus. The Gospel just shows up. They weave it into a conversation as if it’s as natural as talking about the weather. And that is the readiness I want to have as well. Do I exhibit it on a regular basis? No. But I am asking the Lord to help me be bold enough to share my faith.
2.With the urgency comes a heart for “all to know”
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
It helps to hear the Lord’s heart on this matter and understand that, even though the days are short, He desires that none would perish. Do we have that same desire? Are we moved to the same level of care and compassion as our Savior? If Jesus was about the “least of these,” shouldn’t I be as well? This is a convicting thought and with it comes the realization that no, I don’t really think about others and see others the way Jesus does. I don’t exhibit the same love. I don’t go the extra mile like He would.
The difficulty comes (for me at least) as I see just how dark the world has become. I see how much hatred there is; even in just a random person I’ll never meet who speaks from my phone screen. Do I see them as created in His image? Do I see that He died for that person also? If He wishes for none to perish, I should pray “Lord send me to someone today who needs to know You.” The answer to that prayer might take me to someone I might expect. Or it might take me to someone way out of my comfort zone. But again, am I ready? Am I prepared either way knowing the Holy Spirit will take the lead (more on that below)?
3.The Holy Spirit gives us direction in the urgency
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26
When we think we have nothing to offer and nothing to say, we are reminded that we do not do this alone. The Gospel comes by and through the Holy Spirit. Our preaching isn’t really ours at all. Our words are not our own. If we look at God-appointments and God-ordained encounters as just that (i.e. God-ordained), it will change our perspective. He has orchestrated this meeting. He knows it is going to take place. He also knows what needs to be said, where, when, and how. To me, that is a HUGE relief. It’s not all on my shoulders. It’s on His.
I’ve inserted a lot of questions into this discussion, but this point deserves one more: as I think about sharing my faith, do I do it with reliance on myself or reliance on Him? I will always feel overwhelmed, anxious, inadequate, and so on as long as I feel the pressure to somehow “convert” someone. Guys, we don’t convert anyone. The Holy Spirit does that. And whatever our feelings are (in terms of encountering rejection, disinterest, etc.), it doesn’t matter. Preach the Word. Allow the chips to fall where they may. And let the Holy Spirit do the work.
So it all sounds easy, doesn’t it? But somehow we’ll still find it hard, even in the urgency, to share our faith. Why is that? I think for me it comes down to fully understanding my identity in Christ and honestly being wowed day after day by the amazing gift I have in Him. When I take that for granted, I take my faith for granted. I take sharing it for granted. I believe (wrongly), “Oh I have all the time in the world to talk to him or her.” In actuality, I don’t. We don’t. Time is so short and if we understood this and the hope we carry inside, we’d be sharing it all the time.
I’ve asked a lot of questions today and I realize that gives us a lot to think about and chew on during this month. I would take it one step further to make this whole topic a bit more action-oriented. Chance encounters aside, who is someone the Lord is laying on your heart right now to share the Gospel with? Over the next month, could there be a moment where the conversation turns more directly to Jesus? Perhaps an invite to church or a Bible study. Perhaps taking a moment to say “Is there anything I can pray about for you today?” Somehow, someway, you take an intentional step towards opening the door to further conversations. It doesn’t have to be all at once. Again, the Spirit will lead. But who is that ONE person in your life right now that you can reach?
Guys it’s so good to share this with you today and believe me, I need this message as much as anyone else. I fall short. I avoid sharing because I am nervous about the response. But in full transparency, I am becoming more preoccupied with the urgency of this matter. That preoccupation forces me to step out of the boat and just say “Do you know Jesus?” Because at the end of the day that’s all that matters. And that’s what I want my life to be about. Praying for you as you step out and share.
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Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:15-17