I remember one time coming away from a Christian home when this thought struck me—the name of the Lord Jesus Christ was not once mentioned! It brought to mind the words of a beloved aged brother who said, "There is no such thing as a purely social visit."
To make and return visits is a kindness, sometimes needful, and ought to be an encouragement; but it is sad if Christ is left out of the conversation. An evening or a day spent in relaxation or visiting without one word about Christ, and not one thought of God in the heart, is an awful blank and waste of time.
Although when visiting one another we do not seek to "preach," yet we should always meet to encourage one another; and a serious word "fitly spoken" might shine "like apples of gold in pictures of silver." And even though what we say, or our Christian conduct, may at times produce a laugh, nevertheless the Lord's approval and the testimony of a good conscience is sufficient.
If unavoidably the company we are in is such that we cannot introduce a serious thought or word about our Savior, let us be happy that it cannot prevent our quietly communing with Him above. Circumstances may surround us and limit our actions, but they cannot roof us in and prevent our looking up!
On how many homes and at how many tables, it may be, is "Ichabod" to be written: "Christ is not here; His glory is departed." At whatever table our Savior sat while on earth, the company was sure to be fed with some heavenly dishes of sacred truth. So should it be our constant endeavor never to leave anyone the worse for our having been there—but the better. Why should we not be as earnest about our Savior and precious souls as the carnal Christian and the unbeliever are about their pursuits?
Recently in talking to a gentleman newly converted to Christ, he told me what had been the means to lead him to the Lord. In the normal course of his business he came in frequent contact with a young Christian girl. He said, "It wasn't so much what she said that attracted my wife and me to her, but that in her attitude and actions we could see that she had something that was real and alive. What drew us was Christ seen in her."
This is a testimony we well might envy. Let us ask ourselves, Do those with whom we meet, work, visit and converse see something different—something of Christ in us?
Witnessing for the truth is not trench warfare. Those who stand for Christ must stand out in the open! Is it not sad that so many of us are like the stream that dries up in summer and freezes up in winter? I wonder what we would talk about with those whom we meet if we knew that this might be the very last conversation with them. Would it be politics, our work, sports, etc.? No, I don't believe so. We would discuss vital issues—the coming of Christ—eternal matters. Our Lord is coming one of these moments. Our next conversation may well be our last. We are to shine as lights in a dark place, and what He is to our hearts is really the essence of what we should say, and would surely be seen in our walk and ways.
Everywhere and all the time, at home or visiting, and in every company, we should do all to the glory of God. He gives us all that we enjoy below, and will soon make us to sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb where the conversation will savor entirely of Him and enrapture our hearts for evermore.
"Even so, come, Lord Jesus."