We Have A Hope. Wherever we go, the sad and degrading times of this life do not affect us. We can look through all of our trials — the times when friends abandon us, the times when our car breaks down on the side of the road — and realize that everything was working for our good, to make us more like Christ.
Our thoughts can go to a time which will be free from sorrow, where there won’t be any sickness, and sin will no longer separate us from the One whom we strive to love. Our downfalls that we have now, the times when our sinful nature impedes our servitude, will no longer even be possible. Our corruptible bodies will be changed to incorruptible, immortal bodies, perfect for bringing praises to God. The Lord of heaven and earth will dwell with men. His glory will overflow the mountains and cover the earth. In this life, there are many people who do not know of the happiness and peace that this hope brings. An excellent way to bring people to the knowledge that there is something better is to preach, by example and by speech. In this article, I seek to demonstrate why preaching should be part of our character and show how it can be developed within us.
Preaching part of loving our neighbor
Our characters are to become like God’s. According to I John 4:8, “God is love.” Therefore, love should flow throughout our thoughts and actions. Again, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22:39). If we truly love those around us, we will be kind to them (I Cor. 13:4), and we will want what is best for their lives. This kindness will lead us to agree with Paul when he says, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (I Thess. 2:19-20). Our goal will be to see others as part of God’s kingdom. We will wish for them to be rescued from their life of sin and sadness, to live a life for God. Therefore, our preaching is an action of our love for others.
Not only is preaching a manifestation of love for others, it is also something that we are commanded to do. David realized that God smiles upon preaching, and therefore exclaims, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me by your generous spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall be converted to you” (Ps. 51:12-13). If God would be with him and forgive him, David said that he would use his life to convert the lost sheep and teach people of God’s ways. One purpose of Christ was to preach, as he said, “The spirit of the LORD is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD” (Luke 4:18-19). God had anointed Jesus to spread the hope of the kingdom. Following in Christ’s example, we should also proclaim that acceptable year of the Lord. Proclaim it to all who will hear.
Sometimes it’s not easy to preach
If I have a character that loves and that wants to “teach transgressors [God’s] ways,” then I should share my hope with those around me. However, I find myself getting scared and just not showing the light as much as I could. I wonder sometimes why I am afraid. When there’s somebody sitting across from me in a waiting room, why do I sit down and read my book? When I start talking to someone at school, why do I not leave him with something to help him find God’s truth? The fear arises when I don’t remember that God is with me and I refuse to reform my character to do His will. Sometimes it seems as if I forget such encouraging passages like what God said to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9). Wherever we go, God is with us.
God is with me and I need to remember that. He is the ruler of this universe and He is living with me. He is with me while I’m at school or at the doctor’s. He will make everything work out for good, so I should not be afraid of spreading His message. If what I said offends the person next to me, I can remember that I was following God’s commands.
If God wants that person to have the truth revealed to him or her, then perhaps my preaching will not be in vain. If He calls them, then they will come around. In addition, I don’t even know if someone would be offended by God’s plan. Maybe he/she would genuinely care. I figure, if there was one person who became interested after I saw him/her and talked to him at Starbucks, it would make it all worthwhile. Again, “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee” (Isa. 41:13).
Some practical suggestions
When one realizes that God is with him everywhere and that this life isn’t the end, the realization can lead to certain actions. When someone asks me how I’m doing, instead of the reply being the generic “well,” maybe now it will be something like “fantastic!,” “awesome!,” or even just “really well.” As Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4). We can rejoice (and realize that life is “awesome!”) because we know that God is dwelling with us and giving us strength, and also because we can be saved from this world. This answer to “How are you?” is very out of the ordinary; it can provoke questions, such as, “Why are you feeling so well?” or “Wow, cool, what happened?” These questions are perfect conversation starters giving us opportunity to share our joy in the many blessings that we have.
Preaching is so important. There are little ways to do it, just by talking to someone in a line, at a store or on a street corner; maybe by wearing a shirt with a verse on it. Something that I like to do is pass out little cards with a free phone number on them. When the number is called, a Bible recording is played. I like to give these to most of the people to whom I talk during the day, if I figure that I won’t see them again (to me, this seems like it’s the best way to give them an opportunity that they would otherwise miss). Rejoicing always in God because of His promises to us is also a good way to spread the good news. People should be able to tell that we are different through those things that we do and say. They should realize that we are loving, gentle, and joyful. As Philippians reads, “Let your gentleness be known to all men” (Phil. 4:5). Let us always strive to have the character of God and remember to serve Him by shining His light! God and His word should be our life! Like Paul said, we count all things as rubbish for the sake of knowing Christ. There really is nothing else.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One