Don't Be a Ship Left in the Harbor

I have often posted things on this blog about going to work for the Lord. We can clearly read in the bible that we are commanded to do this in James 2. James 2:17 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." One thing that I believe I often forget to mention is that showing these works, in a fleshly world, is much easier said then done. I have often found myself very apt and ready to talk about the word when I am around my Christian brothers and sisters, but that is not who we are necessarily suppose to be reaching out to. Granted, if a brother or sister in Christ has fallen away we must be there to help get them headed back in the right direction, but we need to be willing and ready to spread God's word to everyone. Mark 16:15 says, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." We must have the courage to talk about God's word even when it may not be the popular thing to do. We must be bold and brave. "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion." Proverbs 28:1. The definition of Courage is the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. If you read about the lives of characters of the bible you can easily tell that the danger, fear, and difficulty that they had to withstand is far greater than ours ever will be. We truly have no excuse for not gladly going out and spreading the gospel. After all "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31. We must be bold as a lion and STAND up against the views of the world and spread the good news of the gospel. Zig Ziglar, author of "God's Way Is Still the Best Way," once said, "The most practical, beautiful, workable philosophy in the world won't work - if you won't." Well I am here to tell you that God's word is exactly that. It is the only perfect thing ever written. However, it must be read and it must be shared with others in order to work. "Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Deuteronomy 31:6. I will end this post with a simple but powerful quote by William Shedd, "A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for." Don't be a ship left in the harbor. Get out and use your talents to spread God's living word.

-Ben Stevenson