Hope is for Sharing

"I pray you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ” (Philemon 1:6 NIV).

Thoughts: Rick Warren writes in his daily devotional that if you had a cure for cancer or HIV , you'd want to share it.  I might add, that even if you didn't have a complete cure- but a treatment or a possible cure on the horizon, then you'd want to share that too.  We have, of course, a hope for the next life- a hope of a cure for a mortal condition shared by every human- eternal life through Jesus.  But we also have hope in the midst of the here and now.  For we know why we are here.  We know that God cares about us in this life.  He not only cares about our behavior and words- He also simply cares for us as His children.  We have hope for the abundant life- and joy right now.   Eternal life does not start after we die- it begins the moment we believe- having faith in God, hope in God and a love for God and neighbor.  This is a wonderful gift of hope that we can share.  The passage above mentions that when we share our faith (and hope) then we grow in our understanding of the blessings of God. 
    I have found that to be true in my own life.  When I share my faith- I have to rely on my faith and my God.  When I am active in sharing it I feel better about my faith.  For sharing faith is a bit of a risk- people can reject you, look down on you, and in some cases persecute you. 
     Last week a young man, John Allen Chau, a missionary for All Nations Missionary group, was killed trying to reach out to the North Seninelese islanders.  Despite what others say, India had lifted its ban on contact with the island.  Chau was not simply off on a venture.  He had taken numerous shots and was prepared to help the islanders with their own medical needs.  He had initial contact in September a month after the ban was lifted, and was shot at while preaching off shore by a native.  But Chau had hope in Jesus, and wanted the islanders to have hope too- so he was willing to risk and give everything.  He also had hope in God so that he did not fear death.  Jim Elliot in the 1950s was trying to reach a similarly isolated group of natives- the Aucas of South America.  He also died in the process.  But he gave this famous quote for those who criticized his efforts, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."  Hope makes us bold in sharing our hope. 

Prayer: Lord, give me a deep desire that others will know the hope that is available in you.  

Below picture of Jim Elliot and John Chau