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Written this month by Dr Jeremy Brewer, retired GP and former church secretary
Sharing the Faith
There was a recent report of a health worker standing by whilst a person was dying, saying they couldn't do anything "because of Health and Safety Regulations" applying to the worker.
Recently it has been implied that it is not politically acceptable for individuals to demonstrate their faith at work and certainly not to share it. People have been censured for wearing Christian symbols at work and some have been suspended for offering to pray for individuals.
It was therefore encouraging to find a news item in the daily paper towards the end of June in which church leaders are now encouraging Christians to be more active in actually sharing their faith with others. If we don't, then who will?
In the Great Commission, Jesus said, "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). That is a quite specific instruction. Jesus gave the instruction for the spiritual health and safety of the recipients. Though personal safety is important, Jesus gave no instruction to the Christian worker to stand by and watch! If Jesus really is the Son of God who came to earth to save sinners; and if his salvation is the only one that works, then we need to be responsive and responsible to people we meet. We need tact and a sense of situation, but we also need to pray for the correct degree of boldness in sharing our faith with those in need.
Nicodemus was a religious leader well-versed in religion; but in John chapter 3 Jesus pointed out his real need - to be “Born again”. It isn't ‘ religion’ that ever saves anyone, it is a personal faith in Jesus. Religion is like a skeleton, but a personal living faith in the risen Christ clothes the religious bones with new life. That is the way of true faith that leads to 'new birth'. Contrary to our natural inclinations, we can do nothing to save ourselves except turn to Christ in repentance and faith. Nothing we can actually do will help us be more acceptable to God; salvation is available as, in faith, we accept what Christ has done for us. It is after that that we can begin to do useful things in God's service, some of which is telling others.
The Gospel of Jesus is Good News - and it does need to be shared!
Written this month by Dr Jeremy Brewer, retired GP and former church secretary
Sharing the Faith
There was a recent report of a health worker standing by whilst a person was dying, saying they couldn't do anything "because of Health and Safety Regulations" applying to the worker.
Recently it has been implied that it is not politically acceptable for individuals to demonstrate their faith at work and certainly not to share it. People have been censured for wearing Christian symbols at work and some have been suspended for offering to pray for individuals.
It was therefore encouraging to find a news item in the daily paper towards the end of June in which church leaders are now encouraging Christians to be more active in actually sharing their faith with others. If we don't, then who will?
In the Great Commission, Jesus said, "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). That is a quite specific instruction. Jesus gave the instruction for the spiritual health and safety of the recipients. Though personal safety is important, Jesus gave no instruction to the Christian worker to stand by and watch! If Jesus really is the Son of God who came to earth to save sinners; and if his salvation is the only one that works, then we need to be responsive and responsible to people we meet. We need tact and a sense of situation, but we also need to pray for the correct degree of boldness in sharing our faith with those in need.
Nicodemus was a religious leader well-
The Gospel of Jesus is Good News -
Jeremy Brewer