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Faith needs Content

Romans 10:14-15
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ (NIVUK)

'Blind faith' has no value to followers of Jesus.  Faith, if it is to be real, must be based on facts - otherwise it is a delusion.  If people are to trust in the Lord Jesus, they must know who He is and why they need to trust Him.  Knowing about Jesus (Acts 8:30-35) is a necessary prelude to trusting Him and knowing Him in experience.  It is very logical, but also very spiritual.  

Although a relationship with Father God through Jesus Christ is infinitely more complex than our human minds can grasp, God has not left us to wallow in our imagination or to leap into some mystical experience without reason of evidence.  He sent Jesus into the world and has ensured that there is a trustworthy record of how He lived and what He did (Acts 1:1-3).  He has given us enough information about Jesus to be able to trust Him with our eternal lives (Deuteronomy 29:29; John 20:30-31).  God wants everybody to be informed about Jesus so that they can trust Him (1 Timothy 2:5-7).  But, how are they to know?  Obviously, somebody who already knows must tell them.  It is that simple.  Wherever believers go, they are to tell others about Jesus (Isaiah 52:7; Acts 8:4; Acts 11:19-21).

But what motivates people to tell the gospel to others?  It is the call of God, the urging of the Holy Spirit and simple obedience to the Scripture: "Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’" (Matthew 28:18-20).  It is the most wonderful experience to bring the Good News about Jesus to somebody who is searching for truth.

Have you ever considered that this might be a normal responsibility for each believer?  Those who understand this will be looking out for opportunities, those divinely arranged appointments to speak about Jesus.  They will be praying for wisdom to recognise the Lord's leading in conversations: they will pray for courage to meet the challenge and answer the questions.  Those who are willing to be sent as gospel messengers will soon be given assignments!  But what about those who refuse to communicate the gospel - well, those around them will remain in the dark about Jesus, and that is a dangerous place to be.  No gospel, no light, no future with God and no hope for this life or eternity.  Pray today that the Lord will give you the desire and opportunity to share Jesus with someone this week.

Prayer 
Dear Lord. Thank You for giving the gospel to those who first believed in Jesus, and that His commission has cascaded down through the centuries to envision the world-wide church today. I am sorry when I have failed to recognise my responsibility, or to hear Your call to communicate the gospel. Please help me to be alert to the opportunities You arrange in which I can tell others about Jesus. Give me a deeper desire to be used as a part of Your world-wide communication network so that Jesus may be made known in every nation. In His Name. Amen.
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© Dr Paul Adams