Devotion for Tuesday, September 13 (A Week with Philemon)

I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective 

when you perceive all the good that we may do for Christ (vs. 6)

Recently, at the end of worship, I will send everyone out with the words, "Go in Peace, Share the Faith."

So, what does it mean to share our faith? 

Does this mean that we should become street preachers, at the ready to ask others, "Have you accepted Jesus as your personal savior?"

Does it mean that we need to wear more Christian themed shirts and hats, and have a Jesus fish and other Jesus car magnets on our vehicles?

Does it mean to quietly seek to live and love like Jesus, serving others, forgiving others, and offering ourselves in humility to helping others?

Paul tells Philemon that sharing faith leads us to see anew all the ways that we can do good.  It is quite a life-giving statement actually.  By sharing our faith, however we do it, will lead us to see all the ways we can impact the world for the better.

According to Paul, sharing our faith isn't primarily about converting others, but about loving others and making the world a better place.  Conversions will happen. Praise Jesus. Yet, conversions aren't the only goal.  Making the world better is always the goal.

Perhaps, it is in sharing our faith, however we choose to do it, where we begin to see where Christ has gone ahead of us and we can join in on His work in the world.  

Loving Christ, inspire us to serve you and share your grace. Amen.