Give It Away!

Daily Reading:  Philemon 1

I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. (Philemon 6)

Devotional Thought: Do you want better understanding of what it means to follow Christ?  Then, as Paul says, tell someone else about it!  This seems to be counterintuitive doesn’t it?  Shouldn’t we wait until we have a full understanding of our faith before we go spouting off about it? 

Not at all.  Think about the man who was delivered from demon possession.  Jesus sent him away immediately with instructions to tell his family what God had done for him.  He didn’t enroll him in a discipleship class to make sure he understood all the nuances of Christian doctrine.  Or what about the lady Christ met at the well in Samaria?  After meeting Jesus, she went right away into town to share with others about the One she had just met.  She didn’t even wait until she got her life “straightened out”!  She just went and told about Jesus! 

If we were to wait on full understanding, we would never say a word!  The key to a powerful testimony is not doctrine at all.  It is personal experience: “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

Why does testifying help you understand your faith better? Three reasons I can think of:

• Sharing your faith gives opportunity for dialogue, for give and take, for shaping your thoughts as you put them into words.

• When you testify, you put yourself, your reputation, on the line.  That gives you impetus to “present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

• Most importantly, when you share your faith, the Holy Spirit is there with you to give you words and understanding!

So, if you want a better grip on your faith, give it away!

Prayer: Lord, your majesty and glory exceed all the volumes of theology that could ever be written and read.  I will never fully understand you, but help me to share your love and truth through my personal testimony of how you changed my life.  Amen!

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119:73-80

73 Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.

75 I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

76 Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.

77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.

78 Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.

79 Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies.

80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!