Unfortunately, it happens to almost all of us. By the end of the day, we’re faced with a handful of empty excuses. For those who are Christians, it was never intended that way. Christians must realize that they’re not asked, but commanded, to share their faith with unbelievers. Believers must realize that at day’s end, it’s no longer possible to change past behavior or recapture missed opportunities. Even worse is knowing that these same excuses will likely be used over and again in the days ahead.

As each day ends, Christians may experience frustration over unfulfilled tasks; spiritual work which should have been done but was never completed. Obedience to the Lord will help avoid this frustration. In the book of Colossians, chapter 4, verses 5 and 6 of the New Living Translation of the Bible, we read:

Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.

We know as believers that we should share our faith with others. But is this a priority in your life? It’s easy for our life-focus to shift to daily activities such as working, grocery shopping, cooking, child care, watching TV, doctor appointments, transportation, social visits, to name just a few. Are chance encounters ignored as we find ourselves desensitized to the eternal destiny of others? Needless to say, time does not reverse itself, and opportunities such as these are too often lost forever. In the book of Ephesians, chapter 5, verses 15 and 16, we read:

So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days.

Excuses inevitably are fueled by the “tyranny of the urgent.” We tend to focus on our immediate physical needs to the exclusion ofthe physical and spiritual needs of others. Sadly, we’ve reversed the very order of importance given to us by the Lord. We end up putting ourselves first, while placing the physical and spiritual needs of others last.

Our schedules have become so busy that people often ask, “When will the day end?" Unfortunately, they’re asking the wrong question. The question should be, "When will the day begin?" For the Christian, each day should begin by talking with God in prayer and reading the Bible, which is God talking to us. In prayer, believers should acknowledge who God is, they should praise and thank Him, and then, they should make their requests known to Him, all in faith and trust. So many Christians fail to recognize their own insufficiency whenever they try to act under their own power. They face defeat whenever they do this. Jesus says in the book of John, chapter 9, verse 4:

All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end.

The Apostle Paul also says in the book of Romans, chapter 13, verses 12-14:

The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So don’t live in darkness. Get rid of your evil deeds. Shed them like dirty clothes. Clothe yourselves with the armor of right living, as those who live in the light. We should be decent and true in everything we do, so that everyone can approve of our behavior. Don’t participate in wild parties and getting drunk, or in adultery and immoral living, or in fighting and jealousy. But let the Lord Jesus Christ take control of you, and don’t think of ways to indulge your evil desires.

God has said over and again, you must turn from sin and place your faith in Jesus. Since all unbelievers are dead in their sin of unbelief, God has made it possible for those who put their trust in Him to receive His gift of salvation. If you’re not a Christian, you too can accept this gift from God by placing your faith in the work of Jesus on the cross. Salvation is not a result of good behavior but the result of believing in the righteous death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The object of a Christian’s faith must be only in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus was brutally crucified. Jesus died, was buried, and then rose from the dead three days later. Without question, man is responsible for his own sinful actions, yet in eternity past, God, the Father, predetermined that Jesus Christ would become a substitute sacrifice offered for sinful men.

After the fall of Adam and Eve, the first created man and woman, God’s holiness and justice demanded that the unredeemed descendants of Adam be saved through the perfect sacrifice, Jesus. Those who refuse this offer from God will suffer the torment of an everlasting hell, in darkness, apart from God. God always accomplishes His will, but sometimes allows the sinful actions of men to ultimately fulfill His special or holy purposes.

Because Jesus lived a sinless life, He was able to become that substitute sacrifice. His sacrifice showed God’s eternal love for His creation, a love which paved the way for man’s salvation, as we see in the book of John, chapter 3, verses 16-18:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God.

The Apostle Paul says in the book of Romans, chapter 10, verses 9-10:

For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

Opposing this truth that God is fully in control is the saying, “God is my copilot.” But this statement is simply not true. God should be fully in command - not a copilot. Christians are passengers possessing a “ticket” to heaven paid for by the blood and work of Jesus Christ at the cross. For believers, there is no cost for this “ticket” as it has already been paid in full.

Salvation then is a gift from God! At the time of Adam and Eve, all people were marked by God as unbelievers facing eternal damnation. That’s why God’s gift is so important and so valuable. Yet a gift only has value when it is accepted. If you’re not a Christian, you must realize that your eternal destiny, heaven or hell, hinges on your acceptance of this gift. In the book of Psalms, chapter 53, verses 2-3 of the Bible we read: 

God looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 
Every one of them has turned aside;
They have together become corrupt;
There is none who does good,
No, not one.

As you have seen in this website, Christians are at war with the forces of evil. That is, at least some Christians are at war. There are those Christians who are so self–absorbed that they are unaware or oblivious to any war. These Christians have little reward in heaven for they’re not committed to obeying the Lord on earth. In war, soldiers are to be in communication with their commander in order to be effective. God is the Christian’s Commander, and prayer is the believer’s means of communication with Him. Sadly, being “busy” is only one of several excuses Christians have for not sharing their faith with others. Three other typical excuses are:

•  I lack education.
•  I can’t express myself.
•  I feel too awkward.

Each of these excuses has one thing in common. It’s the word “ I ”. Satan has convinced many Christians that in order to obey God’s commands, they must possess unusual spiritual strengths or have special talents. As is evident in Scripture, however, this is not true. We see in the book of Philippians, chapter 4, verse 13, that we truly have the potential to do everything.

For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.

Other links within this website will show how important it is for Christians to share their faith. The God that the Apostle Paul served is the same God who will give you strength. The hymn writers, Oswald Smith & Bentley Ackley, wrote “There is Joy in Serving Jesus.” We should expect to have that same joy! In the book of Nehemiah, chapter 8, verse 10 of the Bible we read:

. . . don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!

Believers should be prepared to give God not only their first, but their very best. God will respond in love giving Christians His blessings. Sometimes we misunderstand what His best for us is,  because we only see the present. God, on the other hand, is not limited by time. He sees the past, the present and the future all together, without limitations. When we are obedient to His Word, which includes sharing our faith with others, God may use our efforts for His purposes. It's no wonder Christians find obedience incredibly fulfilling since their obedience pleases God, bringing Him honor and glory!

We hope you will continue with your website visit. When you have finished, e-mail your comments, good or bad, to The Christian Way. Thanks for your feedback, and we hope you find the rest of your visit not only helpful, but encouraging!