BBD 07.23.02 Not Ashamed
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
07.23.02
Not Ashamed
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to
salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the
Greek." - Romans 1:16.
In the face off between the Indian and Pakistani armies in Kashmir life
continues on. There is a Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporation that
continues to operate at Gulmarg a mountain resort in the area of
confrontation. Their gondolas come within three miles of what is called the
"Line of Control" separating the Pakistani and Indian armies. The gondolas
do receive occasional ground fire but still people show up to ride them so
that they may go hiking, skiing, and golfing at the resort.
Isn't it amazing the risks that people will take to do the things they
enjoy? Imagine people risking their lives so that they may hike, ski or
golf! Significant numbers of people have been killed while golfing during
lightening storms. Many have been killed while skiing and running into
obstacles such as trees. Many have been killed while hiking through weather
related events or by wild animals such as bears and mountain lions. And how
many have been killed or injured while taking a dip in the surf by a shark
or even a jellyfish? Think of the risks some people take while speeding in
traffic in order to arrive at their destination a few moments sooner. Think
of the risk that someone takes whenever they continue to light up cigarette
after cigarette knowing the potential it has to cause cancer and heart
disease. That's not even to mention all those users of illegal substances
(i.e., drugs) and abusers of legal substances. Amazing what we will do for
our personal enjoyment!
Now that I have angered and alienated all hikers, skiers, golfers, swimmers,
surfers, speeders, smokers and drug users let me try to get to the point.
The point is that we are willing to take even deadly risks to do what many
would consider unnecessary (unnecessary in terms of survival) things.
However, many who are willing to take those risks are not willing to take
the risk of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with another person. Why?
Now it is true that in some countries and situations sharing the Gospel can
be of greater risk than in other places. In some countries you can lose
your life for sharing the gospel, or lose your job, or lose your home, or
lose contact with your family and other things can happen as well. However,
in much of the world there are very little consequences for sharing the
Gospel. What is it that we risk? At the most we risk embarrassment,
alienation of a friend or relative, possibly job loss or loss of employment
advancement potential. Not that those things cannot be significant but
compared to the risk of death those are very small risks.
Is it that we do not want to take the risk or is it that we are really deep
down inside a little ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ? I can't answer
that question for you. However, if it has been years or perhaps you have
never shared your faith with another person then it may very well be that
you are ashamed and are trying to hide your relationship with Jesus. The
apostle Paul has truly given us a great and wonderful example to follow.
Once Paul knew Christ as his Savior he was never ashamed of Him and never
turned away from the opportunity to boldly share Christ. What about you and
me? Let us within the next week make a stand, draw a line in the sand, and
share the gospel, tell someone of our faith and love for Jesus. May it just
be the beginning!
Copyright © 2002. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the
devotionals on a non-profit basis with source credited.
If I can help you in any way please contact me at wrather@logixonline.net
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