1-20-25
\u201cOh, you know what I mean.\u201d How often people say that these days. Casual texts, sloppy language, limited-character messages\u2026 btw, I\u2019m talking about \u201cinitialisms\u201d too, lol. We chat more, but talk less. Our contacts are less personal, more sterile, and, surely, a symptom of social isolation. We hide behind substitutes for communication. Words lose their meanings, but we hope \u201cyou know what I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We tend to talk without telling these days. Words tend to have new meanings or weakened importance. For instance, Christians are to share the Gospel, to \u201cwitness\u201d to other people. A verb, an action word, something we should do<\/em> and not only be.<\/em> The Great Commission of Jesus was to \u201cgo into all the world.\u201d To a lot of people, being<\/em> a witness \u2013 let\u2019s say in a trial \u2013 is a lot easier than witnessing to<\/em> people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is a distinction with a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you mention Jesus in conversations? Do you ask people about their faith? If you might say \u201cGod bless you\u201d (and not after someone sneezes) do you explore that a little more? In another message I mentioned that my son-in-law\u2019s late father used to say, \u201cCan I just take a moment and tell you that Jesus loves you?\u201d \u2013 is that a habit of yours? If you might even say to someone after hearing their burdens, \u201cI\u2019ll pray for you\u201d\u2026 how often do you take that opportunity, and pray then and there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, words can be tough to get out, sometimes. But very often we know what<\/em> to say, easily enough, but we find it hard to say<\/em> them. The \u201ctell\u201d versus \u201cOh, you know what I mean\u2026\u201d But as the Bible says, How then will they know about Jesus if they do not believe? And how can they believe if they have not heard? And how can they hear if no one tells them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus did not die on the cross in order for you to plead shyness or being uncomfortable when you have the opportunity to \u201cwitness.\u201d My friend Gordon Pennington has led almost 200 people to faith in Christ in just the past couple of years. It is remarkable: he chats with a waiter, or speaks to someone at the next table in the coffee shop, and engages in small talk that naturally leads to Big Talk, so to speak; but chatty, not confrontational, being curious, being open, sharing stories. I am not aware that one person was offended, but many were challenged, became aware of their need of a Savior, grateful to hear what the Gospel has meant to others\u2026 and with tears or smiles or both, many walked away with their lives changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is another side to that coin. There always is. If you know the Truth\u2026 if Jesus has touched and changed your life\u2026 if you have experienced blessings of any sort\u2026 and you don\u2019t<\/em> acknowledge Him, your willful decision is a sin against Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might plead shyness, or hope that someone else will share God\u2019s love, or avoid mentioning your faith for \u201cbusiness reasons.\u201d If so, you should remember the words of Jesus Himself that whoever denies Him before other people, He will deny that person before God. Chilling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n OK, maybe you are<\/em> shy, and this is new to you. Yes, even uncomfortable at first. But\u2026 if you had a cure for cancer, wouldn\u2019t you want to share that<\/em> with an ailing friend? If you had the key to the most precious thing in the world (which you do<\/em>, as a Christian), how could you hide it under a bushel? If you feel foolish at first\u2026 remember another Bible assurance, that if you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become \u201cas a fool\u201d so that you may become wise; for the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sights of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you risk losing a friend? Not likely. You can\u2019t lose a friend you never had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But if you are afraid to witness \u2013 whatever the cause of your reluctance \u2013 God has a Witness Protection Program. Here it is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go. Know what you mean. And Tell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n