No one likes to be the bearer of bad news. Shuffling off the responsibility of telling the truth to anyone can make them the bearer of bad news and not you. So, you sit on your butt and don't say a word. You may nod in understanding or even smile to show your support. However, knocking on someone's door to tell them bad news is often left undone or done poorly by someone else. I'm not necessarily talking about death notifications; though they do fall into the category. You see your neighbors son or daughter out doing or saying something that's clearly wrong and you don't say a word. You say, heard, and are thus complicit in their choice. You and I are our brother's and sister's keeper. It says so in the Bible. The Bible is the infallible word of God. As such, it's the authority and not you or someone you consult with. "It's none of my business." you say. Wrong. "It's someone else's job." you say. Wrong. If you belong to the Lord and are no longer in the captain's chair, then Jesus is and he's living through you. Just what would Jesus do? He wouldn't tell anyone it's someone else's job. The Good News is your responsibility. YOUR responsibility. What you do with that responsibility determines who is in control of your life.
James talks about the tongue and it's wild nature when not under the control and direction of the Holy Spirit. The power of the tongue has been exercised more times in negative manners by Christians than in positive examples. Thinking is a trap for the Christian. Paul exhorts us to be ready, to be poised to bring the Good News and give account of the hope that is within us at ALL times. There is NO cost to count when we have Jesus living through us. There is NO negative consequences we need to be mindful of when we have Jesus living through us. Paul told us that he counts it all joy suffering for the Lord by bringing the Good News to others. The disciples all gave the Good News to those they came in contact with. Sometimes that act sealed their deaths. Let me ask you, would you rather give the Good News to someone and die or deny Christ? The great commission is for the believers to go to all the world and to make disciples of all mankind. Pretty simple; don't you think.
How about deciding to follow Jesus and tell others about ACTS? Maybe explain why it's important to adore God followed by showing what real confession means to the Father. Then act out thankfulness in all aspects of your life. You can in great confidence then approach the throne of God and make your needs known. What if your spouses, children, neighbors, and others were to see that you had this relationship? What if they repented of their sin and gave their lives to Jesus? What if they did this with others in their lives? What if this continued on till the end of time. If you won't do the job then perhaps you are the problem. Yes, some will see you as a bad person for "making me feel guilty." Sometimes you will be the good person for opening a door they had thought was shut. Regardless, you need to do something.
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