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How long has it been since you had a checkup? Most of us are pretty good at making sure we have physical checkups regularly, but I’m talking about a spiritual checkup. So, I’ve suggested four examination questions which may be helpful in determining how healthy your faith is. They are:
- Have you allowed the important daily disciplines of your life to fall away?
- Are you doing the good works God has for you to do?
- Are you showing the love of Christ as you should?
- Is your faith growing?
Here’s the final question:
- Do you share your faith with others?
As Christ-followers, we believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and there is no other way to have a right relationship with God—right? So, if we believe that, it should be natural that we share it with others. We know that God does not wish that anyone should perish, and neither should we. Since truth sets people free and because we know this truth about Jesus, sharing that truth is one evidence that our faith is strong.
I’ve just finished reading the book, Not a Fan, where the author asks again and again if you are just a fan of Jesus Christ or are you a follower, truly a disciple. If you do not share your faith, is it because you fear persecution or rejection? If you believe the gospel is the only way to salvation and that others will be lost eternally if they do not accept it, that should urge you to share your faith with others. So, have you done that lately?
My former Pastor was and is very comfortable sharing with anyone anywhere. Taxi-drivers, someone sitting next to him on an airplane, the next-door neighbor—he simply never hesitates to ask appropriate questions and start a conversation about Jesus. I have to confess that I’m not as natural at that as he is but I realize it’s an area where I need to grow. And what I’ve discovered is that when I start a conversation about my faith with someone I may not know so well, it usually is not nearly as scary or as difficult as I thought it would be. I think we let our enemy cause us to fear sharing our faith and then we miss out on lots of opportunities.
So, I’m hoping you’ll look at these five questions I’ve asked and allow God’s Spirit to help you check up on yourself, make sure your faith walk is healthy and growing, to the honor and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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