Back in December, our church took the Open Carry policy and ran with it to make a short play about sharing the love of Jesus to others. Just like a Texan’s ability to openly carry a firearm, the Christ follower should be able to openly carry Jesus as they participate in the day’s activities. While the metaphor can only go so far and may seem a little silly, let’s compare the two further.
1. To carry a firearm, even openly, you need a license. To get a license, you need a background check.
So if one plans to share Christ, they must first have a background check. We look back to remember who we were, so that when we present Christ to others, we remember more specifically, that we are no better than the person with whom we share.
We are the tax collector, in the back of the synagogue, beating our chests and yelling out “Father have mercy on me, a sinner!” (
Luke 18:9-14)
Nevertheless, you don’t always need much of a background or history in order to share Christ with others. For those who lament for “not having a testimony” due to age or even being a “decent” person beforehand, perhaps we have forgotten the true depravity of sin.
As studied together in the book of Ephesians, Christianity does not just make bad people, or even decent people, better. Christ makes dead people come alive.
We were once worthy of death, or as so well-phrased, we were once the walking dead; now we are alive in Christ. That is what we tell others. The man blind from birth whose testimony said it succinctly, “All I know is that I was once blind, but now I see.”
Be encouraged by the blind man’s straightforward, and not too deep, story. Then remember that you too, were once blind and dead without Christ.
2. Those who open carry must know how to use their weapon. The Christian, likewise, is given a very sharp, double-edged, sword. The Word of God, is equated to a sword in the book of Hebrews as well as Ephesians. No one can just go wielding a sword without knowing how to use it correctly. (I heard
Peter got someone’s ear chopped off because of that.)
And we have known Christians to use the Bible to their advantage by taking God’s Word out of context. Scripture has to be treated with great care–and due to its sharpness, the possibility for casualties exists. Think about it. Have you ever been hurt by another Christ-follower? Was it not for their use of the Bible in a way that may not have been its true intention? Perhaps this is why we are told to
test the teachers of the day.
The gospel is offensive, but we must remember that it is also delightful. I came across this Psalm the other day:
“The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statues of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold,
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.”
Wielding this sword correctly will take time and careful study.
3. We must learn the different approaches of sharing God’s love with others. Just as one gun is used in hunting a deer, another for hunting a pheasant, you can not use the exact same mold of gospel-sharing with others.
Take the lightning-doesn’t-strike-twice-in-the-same-spot approach. Or better yet, remember Paul, who talked of becoming all things for all people, for the sake of the gospel.
“To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the Law (though I myself am not under the Law), to win those under the law.” (
1 Corinthians 9:20)
How we speak to our neighbor will differ greatly from how we speak to a family member. The verses we share as encouragement will change based on the circumstance the person is going through–yet another reason to
hide God’s Word in our heart for all situations.
Over all things, we remember that it is the kindness of God that leads us to turn to Him. So whether we are speaking with teenagers or adults, rich or poor, the best way is always through kindness.
So yes, it’s all a rather silly metaphor. But while we have the freedom and the opportunity to speak, as long as it is called Today, we make the most of every moment to share the greatest Love this world has ever known.