For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
DAILY READING – Luke 24:13-53; Genesis 44; Psalm 35
Today Bibles are everywhere, and very easily accessible. And often times we take that for granted. But do you know there was a time in history when it was a crime, punishable by death, for the common man to read the Bible. This was so until one man risked his life to make the Bible easily available. He stood up for the truth in his generation.
In 1408, the Roman Catholic Church had banned the unauthorized translation of the Bible into English, but William Tyndale defying the ban, translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into English, making a Bible for the common people. 90% of the King James Version of the Bible and 75% of the Revised Standard Version are from the translation of the Bible into English made by William Tyndale.
In 1535, he was arrested and sentenced to die a heretic’s death. His alleged crimes were disagreements with the Catholic Church’s teachings and his English-Bible translations. Just before he died, on October 6, 1536 he cried out his last words, asking God to “open the eyes” of the then king, Henry VIII, to allow people in England to have access to their own Bibles. His prayer was answered within a year. And the Bible became accessible to the common man. .
Tyndale could have lived a ‘normal’ life without upsetting the cart. Yet knowing the risk to his life, he stood up for the truth and allowed his light to shine in the darkness. Today, everyman has access to the Bible because one man paid the price. We may not be required to die for what we believe but it is paramount as Christians that we be resolute in standing for our faith. Wherever we go, let us shine the light of the Gospel. There are people in darkness. Many people are confused by diverging messages in the world and they need a beacon in their darkness. Do not hide your light. Speak forth the truth of God’s Word to shatter the darkness in men’s hearts. Use every possible opportunity to preach the gospel. Don’t sit on the fence, knowing the truth and yet doing nothing to reach the dying world around you with the Gospel.
Life is about taking sides; it is dangerous to walk in the middle of the road. Be radical for Jesus; proclaim your faith boldly; let your light shine for men to see. In all that you do and say, let it be clear you represent God.
However, to live a life of such conviction, truth has to be deeply imparted into your heart. This is why there is a need to spend time in the Word of God until you are filled and controlled by His Word. You cannot impact your world until you have first been impacted by the Word. It is out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. It is only when you have been watered that you in turn can water others also.
PRAYER: Lord, please help me to stand up for the truth, help me to preach Your Word in season and out of season. Grant me the boldness to proclaim Your Word before men without being ashamed.
quote :
Illuminate your world, for you are a star destined to shine. WORDBITE 222.
[ADAPTED FROM TRIUMPH OF LIGHT OVER DARKNESS]