This week’s devotions are based on “The Key” Week 4: “Share Grace!” (WATCH HERE)
1 Timothy 4:11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Have you ever felt inadequate to share the message of grace with someone? You wouldn’t be alone. I certainly have had those moments in life where I have thought (probably incorrectly), “Who am I to share the message of Jesus with this person?” Sharing our faith can be daunting at times, intimidating or make us feel insecure.
But why?
Usually when I reflect on why I felt “odd” sharing my faith is because I was creating an impression of myself that I dreamed up. I’m not the one to do it. I’m not experienced enough. I’m not old enough, seasoned enough, clear enough…etc. We can give ourselves many excuses to not speak about our Savior. Some of them are perceptions we create on our own and perhaps others are created by what someone else has said about us or to us.
So should we listen to those voices?
The short answer is “No!”
Messages that tell us not to speak about grace are not coming from the Spirit of God who desires that every person on the planet hear about grace. Rather, these messages have the look and sound of the deception that Satan loves to present to us to get us to remain silent when opportunity comes to share Jesus.
So what counters the voices that keep us quiet?
The voice of God.
This time through the Apostle Paul and his encouragement to Timothy. So try these messages on and see if they build your confidence to speak about grace.
God is the one who directs us to command and teach these things. Timothy wasn’t embarking on sharing the Gospel because it was his message. No, Paul wanted him to teach and share these things because God was using Timothy to be HIS messenger. We are just the messenger of a message that God has given to us.
We are not too young or too old, but God uses us when and where he desires. I have heard some of the greatest witness of the Gospel from people under the age of five. Just recently a little girl said with a smile, “Grandma is in heaven because Jesus died for her.” She’s not too young to share Jesus! We create our own insecurities and God says, “Get over yourself. Don’t listen to what others say. I love you and have chosen you to share grace.
We can’t control how others respond; we are responsible for us. Paul wanted Timothy to “set an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” We have no control over how someone will react to an expression of grace, we do have control empowered by God’s Spirit how we live out grace in our own lives. A small example just happened yesterday as I was selling my van on Marketplace. I listed the issues that were wrong with it and someone commented, “Wow, that was honest!” Of course, why would I not want to be honest? God’s love compels my behavior to reflect the impact of grace in my life.
Use the gifts God has given to us! To say we “can’t” or we are “not good enough” to share grace is to discount the gifts God has given to you. Maybe your way of sharing grace will be different than mine, but that’s ok. God’s grace is the same, the gifts he’s given us are unique. One may have a gift of hospitality and invite someone over to develop a relationship in which grace is shared. Another many have the gift of empathy that is able to meet people in a challenging time in life. Another may have the gift of logic and ability to answer tough questions. The list goes on.
Here’s the bottom line.
God has given YOU grace and all YOU need to share HIS grace!
Apply: Evaluate what “lies” are keeping you from being more bold in sharing your faith. What gifts has God given to you that you are neglecting, but could be a strong asset to communicate God’s love to someone?
Prayer: Lord thank you for your grace. Give me boldness to share that grace wherever and whenever you give me the opportunity. AMEN.