I Timothy 1:16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
On of the most difficult things in my life of belief has been that dreaded word “outreach.” I am expected as a faithful believer to tell others of Christ and to offer them entry into His forever Kingdom. I know the facts. I know what they need to know to have eternal life. What I’ve been less sure of is why I’m so timid about speaking up. I think it scares me that people’s response to the message of eternity is sometimes tepid and sometimes really negative.
This morning I had a reading blip in I Timothy. Here’s what I read for that last part of verse 16…“as an example for those who would believe in him and receive EXTERNAL life.” The moment I realized my mistake I also realized this may be really important. When you’re telling somewhat what walking into the Kingdom might mean to them, “outreach” may mean telling them more about how God will impact their EXTERNAL life than the glorious, but far-off, facts that impact their eternal one. What do you think?
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