Thoughts for the Day

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed ..... But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—‘I believed, and so I spoke’—we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

We have been looking at James' epistle to the dispersed Christians, and at the dangers of speech. Our tongues and our words can run away with us he argues, causing great damage. We have seen this in court cases where two people argue a "She said, I said" row. After a year's battle in the courts not so long ago two famous women in the UK verbally hammered each other to the extent that I never knew what the original argument was about and who won. Both had damaged each other it seemed to me. Similarly social media slurs against people become reality in the end, whether they actually happened or not.

Today our reading is from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, and we look at the opposite of this - of speaking out.
For me, Christianity is the greatest secret on earth that is hidden and rarely spoken about! Listening to a senior Member of Parliament today on the news programme I was surprised when speaking of a controversial figure he said "We're both Christians, we have that in common!" Yes, Christians go to church, they may pray in private, but they don't speak about their faith, especially publicly.

But Paul says "We also believe, and therefore we speak!" Many Christian churches are accustomed to members giving 'their testimony' - that is the story that brought them to faith and to the present time Other churches do not want to follow this tradition, but the truth is where faith in God exists there should be testimony. When we really believe in something we always want to tell others of its benefits. When we believe in Jesus, we have to tell others - not in a "Come and be saved" way perhaps, but in a "This is how it has changed my life" way!

Lord Jesus Christ,
may You give us such a joy in the knowledge
of what You have freely offered us,
that is, salvation and eternal life,
that we want to praise and worship You.
Give us also the desire to want to
share this with others,
through our actions and our words,
that we may help to spread
the Good News of Your Kingdom of love.
Amen.