Many of us Christians are under the impression that we have the “right to remain silent” when it comes to telling those around us about Jesus. Anything we say or do can be held against us, right? Well…actually, it’s more like anything we DON’T say or DON’T do can be held against us. Now, I’m not saying that you aren’t truly saved and won’t go to Heaven if you don’t share your faith with others. The Bible is clear that if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord you will be saved. You don’t earn your salvation through works…not even by witnessing to others. But, picture this scenario….
It’s Judgment Day and you are about to enter the Pearly Gates. But just before you enter, you turn to see a long line of people passing by. They clearly aren’t experiencing the same joy and excitement that you are at the moment. You wonder why…and then you realize that they are all people that you knew at one time or another. And they all have the same question in one form or another: Why didn’t you tell me?? You knew about this…and you never told me about it… One by one you look into each face, thinking back to the opportunities you had to witness to them…to share your Savior and God with them…to warn them of their need for Jesus in their lives.
At this point, I can guarantee you that you are wishing with all your heart that you had not kept silent. You can see the agony on your friends’ faces, and the hurt look of betrayal in their eyes. What can you say? What words can you use? You can’t tell them that you were afraid that they would laugh at you or think badly of you. For some reason, that excuse doesn’t seem adequate enough. You feel guilty. What if you had said something? Would things be any different now? Would your friends be enjoying the same eternal life that you are? Maybe, or maybe not. But at least they would have had a chance…
Please, don’t make this picture become a reality in your life. Sure, YOUR life and salvation may not depend on your spreading the Word, but someone else’s could! The Bible tells us to proclaim the Good News, preach the Gospel, tell the world. Don’t keep it all to yourself; don’t remain silent when you have the chance to say something. They need to know the truth, and God wants to use YOU to reach them. It’s far better for you to be teased or taunted for sharing your beliefs now than to have to explain to a friend or acquaintance someday why you neglected to give them a chance. Don’t count on someone else to tell them the Good News; it may never happen, and then you will truly regret your choice to remain silent.
-HK
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