Speak!

“Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;” (1 Peter 1:23 ESV)

Peter is telling us that we were born again of the Spirit through the living word of the gospel. We were born again by hearing the word, hearing the gospel. God enabled us to hear the gospel and relied on someone to give us the gospel. Without this occurrence, we would have never been reborn in Christ had we not heard the gospel. It is not the minister, pastor, brother, sister, uncle, or friend who saved us. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that saves.

So, if you ask me what we can do to save those who do not know Christ, I will tell you to tell them the gospel. At some point in the day, we all leave the security of our home. The next time you do look around you. Look at all the people around you and ask yourself I wonder if they know Jesus.

We have loved ones, friends, and spouses who may not believe or believe yet do not have a relationship with Christ. We may have talked until we are blue in the face speaking to them of the gospel and nothing has happened. We think to ourselves, there is nothing I can do, and it is frustrating. Well, I disagree. First, we do not stop talking about Christ, yet we must do it with care and love. Eventually, if they are God’s elect, they will hear the gospel.

We think I have no power over this. You cannot create electricity, yet you flip a light switch, and that turns on the light; it is the energizing of the light bulb with electricity. When you turn the ignition key in your car, you are only turning the key. The car starts when the battery energizes the starter motor which turns the motor of the car. If you are blessed and are able to see someone accept Christ, it is not you who saved them; it is God who energizes them, and they hear the gospel. This time, not only do they hear the gospel, but the switch clicks, and they understand the gospel, and Jesus stands before them in His glory.

You do not know what word it will take to flip that switch. All you can do is speak light into the darkness. That final something where the heart no longer resists is an act of God, a miracle. That is the new birth.

Paul tells us what we should do, the means by which God acts, in 2 Corinthians 4:5, “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” Paul knew it was not him or his words that changed the heart but the gospel.

The idea of presenting the gospel to others is frightening. I am not asking you to stand on a street corner, and street preach. I am used to talking to people I do not know. Some of you can start a conversation with a Coke machine. Just start the conversation. During that conversation there will be an opening for the gospel, there always is. It can be about you and how Jesus changed your life. This could be the switch. Are you in a church ministry?  This can be the conversation starter. Do not get into the all-or-nothing mindset where you think if this person doesn’t accept Chris, I have failed. You have no idea what other providences God has brought to bear on this person. That switch may not flip until you are long gone, but you planted the seed, and you started the electricity moving.

You, who are in Christ, have the light of the gospel in you. Do not hide that light. No one lights a lamp and hides it under a jar. We are called to spread the gospel, spread it. Just open your mouth and say whatever comes out. You may be surprised; it may not be the last time you do.