Acts 26:17-18 “‘I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'”

What a beautiful, succinct yet complete, exposition of an absolutely magnificent commission! It’s no wonder that King Agrippa was nearly won over, and actually may have been, considering the rest of the chapter. Paul had no trouble expressing this because this was how God had said it to him in the first place, and he had probably shared it countless times. I think this is an excellent example of what Peter was talking about when he said, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) After all, in verse six he has just said, “And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today.” Many Christians are oddly hesitant to share their personal testimony, whether it’s from a feeling they can’t do it well, or that it’s just too mundane, or from shyness or a heightened desire for privacy, or whatever. No excuse holds water before God, because we are commanded to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, and that requires sharing what we know of the saving grace of God. However, practice indeed makes perfect. It is wise to practice, if that’s the right word, by expressing our experience of God with brothers and sisters in Christ. If they are sensitive to Holy Spirit, they will encourage us and ask questions that will make it easier to bring out the important points. We don’t need to express it in theological terms, and indeed, doing that will make it less effective in winning people to faith. We just need to be open, sharing what God has done for us, in awe of His love for us and for the person to whom we are talking.

I’m not a “gifted evangelist,” but I am certainly a talker, and as I have written recently, as an MK/TCK I tend to try to explain myself to people. That gives me a tendency to drown people in words, and that’s not a good idea! I need to keep working on my sensitive obedience to Holy Spirit, so that I will say what He wants me to but no more. That “no more” part can be hard for me! I think I’m growing there though, and that’s a comfort. However, I still tend to preach at the drop of a hat! I am to be fully humble, allowing God to use me if He so chooses, but not demanding that He do so. I want to meet His appointments and not go barging in on my own.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the gift for words that You’ve given me. May that always be used as You intend and in no other way, as it has too often in the past, so that Your purposes for me may be accomplished on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!