SECRET AGENT CHRISTIAN         

Gary Waddell - Victory Ministries of Middle Tennessee   10/26/2017

 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  Acts 1:8

Many years ago I helped an agency that transported elderly, needy, and low income people to their medical appointments. I thought that this would be a good way to help these people and also an opportunity to share the gospel with some who have not heard and some that didn’t understand. I thank God for placing many in my path to help in many ways but also to plant seeds for Christ. Although I was only able to do this part time and for only about eight months, I made a few lasting relationships. One of the the people I drove to his appointments was a elderly man named Mr. Smith (alias).  I picked him up on a weekly basis.  Mr. Smith was an 80 year old gentleman in a wheel chair who lived in a nursing home. Even though his legs didn’t work, he had an excellent mind. He was like a 50 year old man in an 80 year old body. His disposition was one of sweetness and meekness. Later I found out that he was a retired preacher, however he never spoke of God or mentioned the name of Jesus. I wondered why he didn’t preach or teach in the nursing home. I knew the home would allow him to hold services on Sundays and other days. He had become a “007" Christian or a “secret agent” Christian. Mr. Smith had told others that he was “retired” and he didn’t pastor or preach any longer.  Later, I tried to encourage him to hold services there. I truly hope he changed his thinking.

When we serve the Lord there is no stopping until we breathe our last breath on this earth. Matthew 5:13 reads, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men”. We never want to lose our savor when it comes to the LORD. I can not find anywhere in the Bible when we “retire” from spreading the gospel. A true witness delivereth souls (Pro 14:25a) and we must always remember that. We must all be true witnesses. That’s what we are about. Again, as in Matt 5:16 , “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”. As in a previous message, we are “soldiers of Christ”. Many make the claim that they are Christians. I guess that is between them and our God. And as for those who are silent about our Lord Jesus Christ or say “I let my walk show the world who I am”;  Well that’s good, but the Bible says to “Preach the gospel to every living creature”. God gave us the ability to speak out to those who will hear.

I visited a local church’s evening service a few years back to see an evangelist friend who was preaching that night. I was surprised to see several of my neighbors there and found out that they were members there. When I moved into this neighborhood years ago, not a single neighbor came to my house to invite me to church. Not a single member of that church even came to my door – Not a letter, not an invitation in the mail. The first Christmas here, when I sent out Christmas cards to every neighbor (even explaining the gospel of Jesus), I never received a response. Not even to this day, 11 years later. As a Christian (a follower of Christ),  we are not only supposed to tell all about Jesus, but we should be encouragers to others who are believers. But wherever we set our foot in our travels, we will meet a lot of “Secret Agent Christians.”  Watch and listen carefully. But maybe the question is: Are they really actual followers of Christ? Or “007" Christians?  Or could they be counterfeits? (2 Cor 13:5)

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matt 7:22-23 I pray this is not the case.

One verse that should stand out to all of us. "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Mark 8:38 Let us not waste any more time.  Let's tell everyone about Jesus.  He told us to do this.  We are certainly not ashamed of His glorious Gospel and we're certainly not Secret Agents.

This is Gary Waddell - Victory Ministries of Middle Tennessee - Thanks for 'Taking Five'

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