Unless We Ask

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:2)

A hand shake, a pat on the back, a wink, and a nod of recognition.  He liked people, and they were drawn to him because of his friendliness, warm smile, and ease in speaking to them.  In short, he was a natural-born salesman.  What was his secret?  His mannerisms and his love of people?  Both of those, perhaps, but not entirely.  “People won’t buy unless you ask,” he explained.  “It doesn’t matter what you are selling. They want to be asked.” 

In a way, we are selling the gospel.  It’s free to all, but we still have to persuade people to buy into it, that is, to believe it.  It’s not always easy.  Many people are “turned off” by religion because of church scandals, television programs, and some who profess to be Christians but don’t live the way they should.  The apostle Paul recognized this, and he said, “For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity…speak we Christ” (2 Cor. 2:17).

Paul knew what rejection was like. He also knew the sweet joy of leading others to Christ.  He called those whom he had touched his “joy and crown” (Phil. 4:1).  He understood that telling others the good news makes us partners with God and Christ.  “But thanks be unto God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and makes manifest through us savor of his knowledge in every place,” he wrote in II Corinthians 2:14.  Then he adds, “For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God” (v. 15).  Yes, when we bring good news to others, we please God. 

Are we like Paul, who said, “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel”? (I Cor. 9:16).  Do we feel compelled to tell others about God’s wonderful, free gift?  Do our hearts burn within us because a friend or relative doesn’t have Christ in his life?  So what can we say to people that will help open that door?  Perhaps the simplest thing would be to just ask.  Say: “Would you like to go to church with me Sunday morning?  May I pick you up?”  Or perhaps, we can say to a friend, “May I pray with you?  Would you like to study the Bible with me?”  Even if the person says no, we should ask again later.  Let us pray for God to open doors for us to teach the gospel, and let us have the courage to ask.  For we’ll never know, unless we ask.

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Heavenly Father, help me have the courage to ask my friends to church.  How terrible to think that someone may be lost because I didn’t ask.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.          ~ Donna

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Donna Wittlif ~ Denver, Colorado                                 (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)    (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)