Fritz Kreisler was a world-famous violinist who earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away. So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn’t able to buy it. Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase that beautiful instrument. But to his great dismay it had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the new owner’s home and offered to buy the violin. The collector said it had become his prized possession and he would not sell it. Keenly disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he had an idea. “Could I play the instrument once more before it is I leave?” he asked. Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector’s emotions were deeply stirred. “I have no right to keep that to myself,” he exclaimed. “It’s yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it.”
We know something FAR more beautiful than even the greatest musical piece ever written, and that is the AMAZING story of God’s love for us, and how He sent His Son to die for our sins! People all over this world and all over this country even, are lost with Him. Their lives are missing the peace and joy that We can know and find only in Jesus. The world needs to hear the Gospel – they need to know about this GOD who LOVES them so much! They need to know about the AWESOME peace and joy they can have in their lives when they simply give their lives entirely to God.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Unfortunately, every time we tell someone else about Jesus, doesn’t mean they are going to listen to us. Many people don’t want to know about Him. They don’t know what they are missing, but for one reason or another – they aren’t interested. Sometimes when the LIGHT is shone on the darkness, all the darkness want’s to do is HIDE. However, it’s not up to us how people respond to the Gospel. That is between them and God. It is only our job to SHARE the Gospel.
We may share the good news with someone and never hear from them again. But God may continue to work in that person’s heart, and they may eventually come to know Him. And then, sometimes, we will share the gospel with people and it will be just what they are looking for, and they will readily listen to us and accept Christ as their Savior. And then there will be those who get mad at us for even suggesting that they are in need of God, and even lash out at us.
Sometimes we witness and we think we’ve wasted our time, or they aren’t interested, but after we are done talking to the person, they may begin later to really think about what we have told them. God works in their hearts, and doesn’t let them forget what was said to them. We won’t often times know the outcome, and sometimes we will know right away the outcome. Or sometimes it may even be years down the road when someone will come across our path again and they will say something like, “Hey, you’re the one who first shared the gospel with me. I rejected what you told me at first, but God never let me forget it, and one day I gave my life to Him.”
The Bible even talks about that very thing. In 1 Corinthians 3 Paul tells us that one person may sow some seed (meaning the gospel), another person may add “water” (share more about the Gospel, building on what we’ve already shared with the person), etc. But it is God who does the ultimate work in a person’s heart where they come to know Jesus Christ. “So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” (1 Cor. 3:78).
What’s important is that we take every opportunity we can to share the Gospel. Let GOD work through what we share to impact and reach hearts. What people do as a result of what we share with them is their responsibility, not ours. We can continue to pray for them that God will never let them forget it, and that they will one day come to know Jesus. But, don’t let people’s reactions to what we share have an effect on our faithfulness to God, and the continued sharing of His Word.
Keep spreading the amazing story of His Love!