If you profess to be a Christian and do not speak of Christ to those you love, then one would need to question the validity of that profession of faith.
I meet people these days that not only do not have a heart for the lost, but fear to lose the relationships they hold dear if they continue to speak of that persons need for repentance and faith in Christ as Lord. I know that not all will enter into the kingdom, (Matt. 7:21) I know that not all are chosen, but the question stands, how much have you truly attempted to bring them to the cross, and how much has only been in your mind, good intentions never carried through with.
Have you walked down the Roman’s Road with them, (3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9) have you explained each verse in detail, using others that correspond to them, for no Scripture is of any private interpretation, or have you only prayed, and if so, prayed for what? That He would send someone to speak with them, that they would start attending church with you so they could hear the message, that they would have the opportunity to hear, from someone, anyone but you? Why, because you are afraid of their reaction, or perhaps believe you will lose them as a friend or that the love they profess for you will some how diminish.
If you are this person, then whether or not you will admit it to yourself, no matter all the lies you have been covering yourself with all this time and calling them reasonable excuses, you are in fact ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ, He is not truly Lord of your life, you are. Tough words, but true, and it will take another excuse from you to wriggle your way out of them.
This is how the great falling away (2 Thess. 2:3) began, people claiming to be Christians, but failing to behave as one, outside of the external view they want others to see. We are not speaking of “and they loved not their lives unto the death,” (Rev. 12:11) but simply opening your mouth, speaking a few Scripture verses whose intention is to bring an individual to the cross, to the knowledge of their sins and how they can be forgiven of them, and then leaving the decision entirely in their hands. If you will not do this smallest of thing for Him whom you claim is your Lord, then why do you believe that anything else you profess you are doing for Him is going to be counted as worthy.
This is not an act that is to be performed by an “elite few” Christians, our Lord laid no particular specific clause upon a certain group or class of individuals, calling them “The ones that are meant to go and tell,” the verses in this area are all crystal clear, if you are a child of God you are to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) All of us, no exceptions.
What if I was to say this to you, seeing how we now understand that this is not only something we do because we love Him, but because we are commanded to, and obey that command in love for Him who first loved us, (1 John 4:19) what if I was to say to you that since you do not witness to the lost about the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ, then that means you do not love Him. I am guessing your response would be incredulous in the least, great offense would be taken, and you might even quote 1 Samuel 16:7 that God looks on the heart. Fair enough, but consider the words then on the One you claim to serve, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
Now, are you going to start picking and choosing certain commandments that you believe apply to you, and then what, give yourself more excuses as to why this one and others like it that tell us to reach out to a lost world with the good news, which is only Jesus Christ, do not apply to you? Who is it that you think is going to be ashamed at His coming, (1 John 2:28) the lost? They would not have clue one about what has been written here, it is those that are saved that will be ashamed, and ashamed of what? That they did not attend church enough, that they did not sing loud enough or with enough enthusiasm when they were there? That they did not put enough money in the plate, had too many “bad thoughts,” didn’t love their neighbors enough? No, it will be because they did not love Christ enough to speak of Him to the lost, because they were ashamed of Him, but called it being afraid or fearful of the possible repercussions to themselves, of being ostracized by those they love, because they love themselves and the supposed security they have built around themselves more than the Lord Jesus.
Truth can really hurt sometimes, but that is the responsibility of every messenger of the Most High, every ambassador of the kingdom of heaven, to speak the truth in love, firmly, and with conviction. Now, all you have to determine within yourself is if you truly are a messenger of the good news of the Gospel, or if you have covered yourself in lies all these years, fabricated excuses meant to make you feel better about yourself.
I do not need a reply from you, but He who waits at the narrow gate for you will demand an answer, and you will give one. “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 10:33)
