Make a Choice: Devotions From Time Of GraceExemplo

Choose to care

I know why Christians often have trouble sharing their faith.

I know because I sometimes have trouble sharing my faith. For one, who wants to risk rejection? We all have to eat a lot of rejection and disappointment each day--why ask for more? For another, I stress over not having the right words to say at the right time.

For another, the task of fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth seems so daunting that I don’t even start. But the biggest reason? I don’t love such people enough.

Caring about other people’s spiritual condition and destiny is learned behavior. It also requires effort, a conscious choice to spend time and energy and love on people. We need to choose to care. Somebody exerted himself or herself on my behalf--that’s why I am a believer. I can do that for someone else. “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear” (Jude 1:22,23).

People may look totally fine with their Christ-less lives. Do not believe it. People have nowhere to go with the guilt their consciences lay on them. People have no answers if there is hope for them after death. Christians can share the good news of the One who snatched us from the fires of hell; Christians can show others the same love and mercy that Christ showed us.

Don’t wait till you feel it. Go first.