If I conducted a poll with each of you and asked two questions, I’m confident that our responses would all be similar. Here are the two questions: have you ever sinned and are you comfortable sharing your faith with others? These two questions stuck in my mind this week as I flew to Texas to see my family. Why is it so challenging to present the message of hope to people that God sends across my path? In a matter of 3 hours, I encountered thousands of people in TSA lines, airport lounges, plane flights and Uber rides. The Bible says that we’re all marred by sin and that ALL sin leads to death. If we have the keys to life, why are we not opening doors for others? Imagine you are at the beach and you look up and notice that someone appears to be drowning. You’re safe on the shore; warm, dry, comfortable. This individual continues to struggle, gasping for air and calling for help. You move towards the shoreline and notice a big life jacket lying on the sand. What would you do? I trust that all of us would grab the life preserver and throw it to the one in need. Better yet, many of us would jump in to rescue the person.
John 1:4 says “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” Jesus and His Word are spiritual life jackets. Jesus already did the real work. Our job is to show or throw the jacket (which is God’s Word) towards people who need salvation.
Statistics show that 100% of people will one day die. We’re all in the 100% club. Back to my first poll question – 100% percent of us are sinners. (Yes, some of you who are reading this are great guys. Unfortunately, since Adam’s failure in the Garden we are now certain to inherit his consequence of sin). Romans 5:12 states “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people because all sinned.” God says we will all die and spend eternity apart from him if we aren’t saved. Those who haven’t trusted Jesus are in the Double D club!! No, men, this is not the Double D you once wished for. This Double D is Death and Distance. Death of this mortal body and forever distance from your Father in Heaven. So what do we do with this?
First, if you’re reading this and have never welcomed Jesus’ free gift of salvation – ask God through His Son, Jesus to forgive you of all your sins. Second, a relationship should lead to abiding in Christ (John 15 – I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.) Third, start passing out life jackets for the people that God puts in your path. And if you have to jump in and save a few people, find the strength to do so even if it means you get wet. Keep in mind, God did the work through his Son. He has given us the ultimate sacrifice by sending Jesus as the Sacrificial Lamb to die for you and me. From the manger to the cross, He put in the work. Now we have the joy of telling others.
Don’t be discouraged if you’re not confident in sharing. It is hard. If you struggle with telling guys what God has done for you or maybe you have doubts regarding things of faith – come to next month’s RTM breakfast and get around other men cause we’re all in the same boat. So what does this have to do with Christmas? I was once part of the Double D club and I never knew it until someone shared with me that I was headed for death and distance from God. By God’s grace, He sent me a gift that I didn’t deserve and it started with the birth of His Son, Jesus. So this Christmas, let’s thank the Lord by humbling ourselves and telling God thank you for the gift of His Son. God didn’t hold back!! He sacrificed everything for us by sending us a great gift. I’m thankful for all of you Red Truck Men and what God is doing through us. He not only gave us a life jacket for ourselves but also gave us jackets to give to others. (Romans 3: 24-26 & James 1:15)
Merry Christmas,
RTM Stephen L. Thomas