In the mind of many followers of Christ, the responsibility of sharing the Good News or discipling the nations is really not for them and should be left to the professionals. Yet a quick study of the New Testament proves that although Paul and the other Apostles were key figures in proclaiming the Word, the church grew exponentially because the average persons were sharing their new found faith with their neighbors, coworkers, family members and so on.
Alan Hirsch has said a study of the New Testament brings one to the conclusion that every Christian is a church planter and every church a church planting church. By that he means that every believer should naturally be sowing the message of Christ into their community of relationships. In time, as that community of relationships becomes followers of Christ, it inevitably becomes a "church" that "meets in the house of" the original follower, just like the church that met in the house of Aquila and Priscilla. That church then becomes a church planting church because the individual members of that "newly formed church/biblical community" all have relationships other than those of that newly formed church. The cycle should then continue to repeat itself.
However, the average church goer doesn't feel qualified to share their faith or to extend Christ to their community of relationships. Most feel intimidated to even bring up the subject of their faith in Christ. Yet, it's obvious here in chapter 4 of 2 Corinthians that Paul says that's when the gospel is the most powerful. Sharing our faith or the Good News isn't about selling ourselves or our eloquence. He says it's simply a process of allowing the light that God shined into our darkened heart to illuminate His glory to others.
Paul likens us to jars of clay that contain an incredible treasure. Sure we're not worthy to encase such a valuable commodity. That's what is so powerful. Our inadequacies only allow God to shine all the more for more people to see His glory. If people see us, then God and His message of victory gets lost. But if people experience the love of God through us and see the transformation God has made in our life, they will be drawn to the life changing power of God for their own lives. So what if we take a few shots or a little abuse for our faith once in a while, as long as God is seen and glorified?
God, I confess I feel pretty inadequate as a messenger of your Good News. I'm so inconsistent in my own life. How can I ever be effective in proclaiming your truth? I'm an old clay pot for sure. In fact, I probably have plenty of cracks. I'm just a nobody with no talent and no special skills. I'm definitely not a people magnet nor am I eloquent in speech. All I can do is let people know that I care because Jesus cares. So God, I'm making myself available to you. You're gonna have to shine through me because I'm pretty dim myself. Thanks for bringing light to my life. Let me be a reflection of your light to someone else.
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