Passion for the Gospel
We were driving in a taxi in China. A local church leader was sitting next to the driver and they started talking. It soon became clear that he was explaining what the lord Jesus meant to him and what salvation meant. They were having a friendly dialogue with questions flowing both ways. As we were getting out the driver was given a leaflet that explained the gospel with a contact address.
The next day we were driving in another taxi with a church leader from a different church. A friendly discussion started up and they soon moved onto what life was all about. This then led to a friendly dialogue about the gospel. Again this driver was given a leaflet by the Christian.
These Christians meant business. They were so sure about the gospel that they felt it was important that everybody understands what it is about.
This morning, in my morning Bible reading, I read the opening section of John’s first epistle. He clearly had a similar passion about passing on the gospel about Jesus.
“. . . that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us . . . This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you . . “ 1 John 1:3-5
In chapter two, John mentions eight times ‘I am writing to you . . ‘ Why is he emphasisng this? Surely he is stressing the importance of his bothering to communicate what God wants them to know.
Similar phrases are repeated throughout this short letter.
“For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning . . .” 1 John 3:11
“We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us.” 1 John 4:6
“And the Spirit is one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.” 1 John 5:6
“I write these things to you who believe . . .” 1 John 5:13
“And we know that the Son of God has come to give us understanding.” 1 John 5:20
John clearly had a passion that others should understand who Jesus is and the need we all have for him. This passion that we saw in Chinese Christians is much needed in the United Kingdom.
BVP
