When the Lord Jesus saved us, and caused us to rejoice in the knowledge of His love, He did not mean us to keep the whole of that joy and gladness to ourselves. He meant us to tell to others the joyful tidings of salvation. He says to all His loved ones, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee” (Mark 5:1919Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. (Mark 5:19)).
He bids us make known His love and power to our friends and kindred, and to all others to whom we can speak the Word. He desires His saved ones to be His witnesses, and to speak of the glory of His name. Not of necessity in public, or large crowds, but to our companions and friends.
Thus it was that Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, just after he had met the Lord himself, got hold of his own brother, Simon, and “brought him to Jesus.”
Thus it was that “the little captive maid,” who waited on Naaman’s wife in the far-off land of Syria, made known the name of Elisha, the prophet of God, and was thus the honored instrument in leading her master to where he was cleansed of his leprosy.
Many such opportunities are within the reach of every young believer, in which a simple word for Christ, may be used to the salvation and blessing of needy ones all around. Do you embrace such opportunities?
Do you tell your friends and companions of Jesus, and entreat them to flee from the wrath to come? Yon bright angel band around the throne would be glad of the opportunity to do so, but to them it is not given. One of them came to tell of His birth to the shepherds on the plains of Bethlehem, but never again do we read of angels being sent to tell of Christ to sinful men on earth. The honor of this has been given to you—yes to you. But are you seeking to do it?
Do you speak a word for Jesus, or are you silent on all that concerns His name? Do you speak of earthly things to those with whom you mingle, and yet you never speak to them of Christ and His great salvation? Does shame prevent you, or the fear of being laughed at, hinder you? Far be the thought.
If you have not done so in the past, begin at once. They soon may die, and, O, if they should, and pass away from earth, unsaved, how you would be filled with remorse, as you remember that you never warned them of the coming wrath, nor told them of a present salvation.
A Gospel verse quoted; a word spoken about the Lord Jesus and His work on the cross for sinners; a tract handed to them may be used of God for their salvation, and your sure reward in the glory.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:5858Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)).