I think most of us will agree that until Jesus is the centerpiece of our hearts, telling others of His redeeming love in the midst of a hostile environment will not be a top priority of our lives. 

Our holy, heavenly Father’s love initiated the gospel story. The consequences of that action are costly to Him and incomprehensible to us. But until we understand the greatness of the gospel, we will not be motivated by divine love to reach the lost.

Learning to Speak His Name Again

The Church has adopted a code of silence since the latter part of the 20th century. We just can’t seem to find the motivation to tell others of the hope that awaits them in Jesus Christ. This can only be changed by a flood of the Spirit and of Christ Himself.

Once we are filled with Christ Jesus Himself, we don’t mind disturbing our own peace and security. When we really see Jesus, everything becomes as nothing. Paul makes this clear when he tells us his perspective in Philippians 3:

“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ … .” –Philippians 3:8

The prophet Jeremiah suffered greatly for calling attention to the Lord God of Israel. He got beaten up by his own people, mocked and ridiculed, for his God message. But even in these circumstances, he could not keep quiet.

“But if I say, ‘I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” –Jeremiah 20:9

He may not have known Jesus yet, but he was speaking in His name. This is the same Jesus that Paul speaks of when he said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).”

It’s a little out of the ordinary, isn’t it? But I think that is what the Holy Spirit longs to do with His indwelling presence.

Called to Share the Name of Jesus

The world is not looking for dazzling personalities, appearances, or wit—not for the long haul. The world is hungry for what we alone as Christians have to offer—the grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, acceptance, faithfulness, and presence of the living God.

Oh, how Jesus longs to use people just like us for the glory of His name—people who are broken, messed up, and confused, but adopted and redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Everybody outside of Christ wears a mask, searching for meaning and longing at the deepest level of their soul for what God alone can give to each of them. And that’s all they need. Nothing more.

So remember the mandate of Christ in Acts 1:8: “‘… and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’” Why? Because “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ (Romans 10:17).” We just need to tell others what great things Jesus has done for us.

We have such a great Savior! Don’t keep Him to yourself today.

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