When the Message is Forgotten

My whole life, I have been taught that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is meant to be shared with others. Others are people who haven't heard the message, right? Others are folks who have not grown up in a Christian home, right? Others are people you don't know very well, right?

Right...and WRONG!

The resounding question in my heart as of late is "How am I supposed to witness to people who already know the message of Christ?" In my life, I know family and friends who talk the Christian talk. They might go to church, pray, even serve on committees. But like the seeds that fell among the thorns in Matthew 13, the cares of the world and the allure of sin are choking their faith and leaving them gasping for air.

For others, friendship with Christ is a sweet memory. They used to practice spiritual disciplines, but they have fallen away from the habits of before. Christ is spoken of affectionately as a faithful old dog rather than the here-and-now God of the Universe who loves them more than they know.

Still others professed Christ in the past and have made a conscious decision to turn away. They know the story, but they have chosen to file it away in the intellect rather than cultivate it in the soul.

What do you say to someone who already knows the story? The fact is, sometimes those inside the Christian community need a witness to the truth of Christ just as much or more than the people "in the world." But what does it mean to share the Good News with these treasured souls?

As I write, the Lord is impressing a memory upon my heart. During my college years, I had some serious doubts and questions about my faith. I remember sitting in the living room of a dear friend, explaining to her why I was uncomfortable with certain parts of the Bible and what they implied. Passionately, she encouraged me to seek God's Truth (as spoken in His Word and revealed by the Holy Spirit) rather than my own. She then proceeded me to tell me the story of Jesus and the power of His death and resurrection. In that moment, this dear friend was not afraid to offer me what I so desperately needed (although I didn't realize it at the time): someone willing to tell me the Good News of Jesus Christ AGAIN.

I suppose God just revealed the answer to my question.

May I not be afraid to proclaim God's love to those who have heard and forgotten.