“And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).
So far four of your brothers and sisters have offered to meet with me to share their story. Thanks to them all. We can look forward to hearing this stories soon. It’s never too late to add your name to the list. nsigur@gmail.com
Paul tell us we need to be ready to share our story.
He writes in Romans 10:13–15:
“‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (NIV)
In the original Greek, the word preparation used in Ephesians 6:15 can be defined as “firm-footing; a strong foundation.” We need to have a firm foundation in God’s Word.
This word preparation could also be translated as “readiness.” The idea is to be ready at all times to share the gospel
Sometimes we think that means we need to be ready to give a theological defense of salvation. That would be great. But what it really means is that we need to be ready to tell our story. The plot of our stories is all the same in basic form:
1. My life before Jesus.
2. Jesus.
3. My life after Jesus.
We need a balance when we tell our story. If we spend too much time talking about our life before Jesus we are focusing on sin. That’s never a good idea. It’s not so important to list all the bad things we did. It is more important to share the emptiness of that sinful life. We should talk about how we felt than what we did.
It’s next important to talk about Jesus. Sometimes we want to focus on the person, or church or ministry through which Jesus worked to bring us to Him. That leaves the impression that the tool He used was important. We need to focus on Jesus.
When we talk about our life after Jesus, we need to be particularly honest. If we are honest, we have to say that we still struggle with the temptations of life, that life is not perfect. If we exaggerate the joys of the Christian life, we set up our listener for disappointment when their experience doesn’t match ours.
Why not practice on a family member, your child, your parent, or your spouse? Just tell them your story focusing on those three elements. If you are having trouble, maybe you don’t have a salvation story.
We need to make sure we have a story, before we try to tell one.
Confirm right now that you’ve turned away from that old life, that you trust Jesus and intend to follow Him, forever.
Now, ask the Lord for an opportunity to share the gospel with someone today!
Nick
Be the first to reply