"Tell It"

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14

The Bible tells us that we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. But when Jesus made those statements He never intended for us to do nothing more than just "shine" and be a "silent witness" for Him. So much of the preaching we hear encourages us to- just live it before them, just let your light shine, just let them see Jesus through the things you do. That is not the whole gospel. If that's what we believe "witnessing" for Christ means, then we are not rightly dividing the Word. As one writer puts it, "The only time words are not necessary is when action speaks more loudly and throwing caution to the wind allows faith to become public by action." (Diane Hale)

There has been too much "shining" and not enough "preaching"- perhaps that's why we haven't won our world for Christ. Never are we to neglect to "preach" the word. There is more teaching in the Bible on the subject of opening our mouths and telling them than there is just living it before them. We are told that God uses the "foolishness of preaching" to save the lost. The Great Commission given to us by Jesus Himself tells us to go into all the world and "preach" the gospel. The Holy Spirit was sent to us to give us boldness to witness. How? Verbally. Remember, after the Spirit was poured out in the Upper Room how Peter got up and "preached' salvation.

Jesus sent the disciples out to preach to those who were lost. All the apostles went about preaching Christ and Him crucified. The martyrs in Revelation overcame by the "word" of their testimony. Even the dictionary defines the word witness to mean testify- to declare. No doubt Jesus did tell us to let our lights shine and do good works, but that's not all He told us to do. He went everywhere preaching the Kingdom of heaven and taught His disciples- even present day ones- to do the same. If a verbal witness of the gospel wasn't important, then why has the world always tried to silence Christians?

Have a great day. If you aren't telling it, you aren't testifying. Stop "just" shining and start opening your mouth and telling them about this wonderful Savior.