Remember you are an earthen vessel—with treasure inside.
| posted 1/30/2009
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It's easy to get caught up with the idea that when you share your faith, you're really sharing yourself. In other words, if I'm not perfect (or nearly so), I'd better keep my mouth shut. And work has a way of bringing out your imperfections. Paul's epistle helps you with that problem. He says in essence, "You are no big showpiece; you are only an earthen vessel." "But," he continues, "you have treasure inside!" (4:7). It's the treasure of Jesus Christ that you are to share.
On the surface, Paul's formula for evangelism sounds easy: Point people to Christ. But there's a catch. We are to model the same willingness to suffer and serve that Christ did (4:11). Those around us will know God is real because transformed sinners like us are living proof! True discipleship is costly, but it's worth every penny.
Do you pray for your boss or coworkers to know Christ? Have you spent time getting to know them personally so you can better understand why they've not yet trusted him? Depending on your situation, you might invite someone to church, start a weekly Bible study, or let a particular coworker know you've been praying for that difficult situation he told you about weeks ago. You don't need to be "spiritual" or share anything flashy—just offer genuine, humble caring, for Christ's sake. (See also 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12; 1 Timothy 5:17-6:2; 2 Timothy 1:6-14.)
Good Words to Remember:
We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7
Today's Challenge:
Have you shared your faith at work? If so, how? How might you better share it in the future?
Copyright 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.
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