Open

November 20, 2023

For some reason, I was really tired this afternoon and if I weren’t leading the men’s Bible study, I’d have stayed home. I’m so glad I went. We were talking about Paul’s word in Romans 9:3.

“For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,” —Romans 9:3 

Paul was so concerned for the salvation of his fellow Jews that he was almost willing to forfeit his own salvation for theirs. Elsewhere, he said he would go to almost any length—to be all things to all people if by some means he could save some—almost any length to see them saved. 

The question begs to be asked: “What about me?” How far am I willing to go to see someone saved? I have no reasons, but so many excuses for why I say so little. “I am an introvert.” “I don’t know what to say.” “I worry about what they will think of me.” “Talking about Jesus means talking about sin. That makes me uncomfortable.” “I don’t want people to think I think I’m better than them.” “I could lose a friendship over religion.” 

The list goes on and on; every objection is an excuse, not a reason. I fear that sometimes I don’t believe the Gospel as thoroughly as I claim. Penn Jillette, himself an atheist, said it best. “If you believe that those who don’t believe in Jesus are going to hell, how much do you have to hate someone to not tell them?” How much, indeed?

This week, many of us will gather with family, many of whom don’t know Jesus. Will we be brave enough to broach the subject? We will meet people at work, on the street, at a restaurant, at Walmart. What will we do? Ron Hutchcraft speaks of what he calls the Three-Open Prayer: “Open my heart, Open the door, and Open my mouth.” Yes, Lord! Open!