He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Psalm 98:3
I heard a radio program the other day that has had me thinking... Have we in the church fallen down in sharing Jesus Christ with our Jewish brothers? Throughout the Bible, we are reminded of the covenant God made with Abraham. God does not forget His covenants, so what are we to make of it? Is there some alternate form of salvation for the Jews?
Of course not! Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." He died for the Jews - not just the Gentiles. In our Judeo-Christian thinking, we sometimes get that turned around.
For me, it is often easier to share the truth of Christ with someone of no faith. To share with someone who believes in the same God but not Jesus, or someone who believes in a distortion of the One True God, is tough - I seem to freeze. The truth is: I am intimidated, and my silence is a reflection of my own faith - or lack of it - not someone else's. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide us - to give us the words to say. It seems I simply don't believe He will speak through me in a pinch.
How many times have I had the opportunity to share the truth with someone, who is a person of a faith, but completely lost? How many times has someone knocked on my door to tell me of some "new" revelation - something I fully believe is a lie, and I politely sent them on their way? How many times has my fear kept me from saying what I should? I know I am not confident in my ability to debate matters of faith, but what hurts the most... I am not confident in the Spirit who could speak through me.
Lord, forgive me for not sharing the gospel as I should. Give me the courage and the opportunity to share the truth with my Jewish friends and to my Mormon and Muslim co-workers. Your Spirit could evangelize through a rock - or a pile of garbage. I'm certain You could use me if I am willing. Help me to be aware. Help me to be willing. Live in me - speak through me - today.