Friday Faith Check-up: Hold Forth the Word of Life

"The One who calls you to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature is the One who by your consent, goes into all the world and preaches the Gospel to every creature through you!"- Major Ian Thomas

Among the many traits humans share is a powerful driving force within, commonly known as our sense of duty. This is defined as any natural, moral, or legal obligation we have to either pay, do or perform. Or, as we will apply to our message here: that which a person owes, or is responsible to another.

Far too many of us (Christians) are under the misconception that once we are baptized in the Spirit, proclaim Jesus Christ as Our Lord and Savior, attend church services and Bible study, and help out in the children's church daycare that we are meeting our obligation to serve the church.

While this is all commendable work, there is an area which is sorely overlooked, or deficient. We Christians have a duty or obligation to "hold forth the word of life." What this means is that you and I have a duty as Christians to teach, or spread the "word of life," otherwise called the gospel.

I know some of you are thinking, "Well, isn't that what we have pastors and Bible teachers for?" Yes, it is! However, the responsibility of spreading the "life-giving word" is the duty of every Christian, too. In his prison-letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, "...hold firmly to the word of life..." (Philippians 2:16). Not urging them to hold onto to, but rather offer the message of life to others.

It is our obligation as Christians to help spread the gospel, and to make sure it that it is heard around the world. We can't wiggle our way out of this duty, either (Matthew 5:14, 16). God commands that we do so, but there are other reasons. We are called into the church so that we may be witnesses for God (Isaiah 43:10).

We have been kept here on earth for this purpose, If this wasn't in God's plan for us then we would be whisked away to heaven immediately upon our conversion. We have been recruited by God to be messengers of His Word. A serious responsibility that we shouldn't take lightly!

Then, there is the simple fact that if we don't do it, who will? Only Christians will. Just think about how many sinners will continue towards the grave unknowing and unalarmed should we neglect, or put-off doing this. No one in the church is so insignificant that they are exempt from performing our duty.

As Christ told his disciples as he sent them out into the world, "You are the light of the world...," so are each and every one of us. We are the light of the world, and as such, we must hold forth the word of life; spreading and teaching the message of life as it was put forth to us. Never forget that! (Matthew 5:14)

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20; John 13:34; 1 John 2:27; 1 Timothy 2:4; Matthew 4:4 

Prayer: Dear God, instruct and guide me as I work to hold forth the word of life to others; and may they come to know and love You as much as I do. Amen

Have a blessed and safe weekend!

Kaye