by Demar Elam

Speak A Good Word For Jesus is the title of a book written by Joe D. Gray. Those words have made a profound impression in my mind. Just think! What if every Christian would "speak a good word for Jesus", at every opportunity?

I fear that our concept of soul winning may be too narrow. Some think that in order to be a soul winner one must be able to lead an individual from Genesis to Revelation. Granted, every Christian should study (2 Timothy 2:15) to the extent that he or she could properly instruct the sinner in the way of truth and righteousness. However, soul winning often begins simply with a word fitly spoken in behalf of Jesus Christ.

Just pause and think what could be done in every place where the Lord's church exists if every member went about daily speaking a good word for Jesus! Our great God desires that all men be saved. This great desire of God is echoed in 1 Timothy 2:3,4, "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

Think how much our lives and the lives of those with whom we come in contact will be enriched when we learn to speak a good word for Jesus. Daily we are afforded the privilege of speaking out in behalf of Christ, and daily we either use or lose those opportunities. If we aren't using our opportunities to the fullest extent, we need to take the time to change our thought processes to be on continual lookout for an opportunity to simply speak a good word for Jesus.

Jesus came into the world and lived a sinless life (1 Peter 2:22) setting an example for us to follow (1 Peter 2:21). Jesus' very mission on earth was "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). He entrusted us with the ongoing thrust of the redemptive work He had begun when He said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15,16; Matthew 28:19,20). Yes, the redemptive work was initiated by the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross of Calvary (1 Peter 2:24). However, we are responsible to proclaim the message that redemption has been provided and that it is available to all of humanity (John 3:15-17).

All the organized programs in the church will not replace the impact of every Christian in the body of Christ learning to speak a good word for Jesus. Our buildings would already be running over if every saint had been daily practicing what we have spoken of in this article. Improvement should be the goal of every Christian. Let each member of the Lord's church learn to capitalize on every opportunity that comes our way to "Speak a Good Word for Jesus". The results will be simply phenomenal! Our love for Christ will increase; the love amongst brethren will increase; the love for others will increase and the building will fill up as the average man on the street becomes impressed with the name we wear.

"Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, Vol 20, pgs 74-75.