Why do I constantly have an urge to spread the gospel, but on many accounts I've been too afraid?
Every time I go to a store, when I go to work, and when I'm around my family, it's a constant thought to tell people of Jesus and give my testimony, but I often don't. I have a handful of times, but way too many times I was unable to do it.
1 Corinthians 9:16 - 23
ESV - 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.
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Asked April 06 2023
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beau tribble
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Mark Vestal
I've been there too! My issue was that I knew I would not be able to defend my belief. If someone were to throw something at me that seemed to contradict what I was trying to convey, I did not have the proper foundation needed to support my stance. I don't know if this is the issue you personally may be having, but if so I recommend keeping it simple with the foundation of God's love for us today. If there is scripture that someone counters you with, there is also an answer to it. Naysayers will often mix doctrine from 'times past' or the 'ages to come' with doctrine for us today in God's 'dispensation of Grace' (Eph 3:2). They will use "got ya" verses that a student might stumble with due to having a lack of understanding of how the Bible's progressive revelation to man works. It works perfectly when 'rightly divided' as we are told how to study (2 Tim 2:15). God is the same always, but His instruction to man changes throughout the Bible. The fact that you asked the question shows that you desire to share the good news with others. That is wonderful! It took me 5 years to complete my first reading of the Bible. It was by chance 3 years after that when I learned why there was a contention between Peter and Paul (Gal 2:11, 2 Peter 3:15-16). This is the key that opens the door to a much clearer understanding. Three years and additional readings later (2 weeks ago), I discovered that I still have much to learn! Learning takes time, and understanding is only revealed to us from God's Word as we grow spiritually. Much like learning math, you must first learn 2+2 before tackling calculus. 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." 1 Cor 1:17-19 "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent." 1 Cor 1:21 "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."
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