Own, Articulate, Execute
Have you ever noticed that our faith usually centers around us and for us? Our faith in Jesus is a gift for us to be sure, yet a treasure of immense incalculable value for others (see 2 Corinthians 4:6-7). I’m thinking of the time when Peter and John were at the temple in Acts and the lame beggar asked them for money. They didn’t have any money on hand, but what they said next is landmark!
“Silver and gold I don’t have, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” Acts 3:6
They had nothing, but had everything. Sometimes we are so used to giving towards practical needs that we forget that the better thing to give is greater than what people are asking for.
Another example is the woman at the well. She asked for well water, but what she received and needed was living water! She received the water, and ran back and gave the whole town of Sychar a drink of Jesus' message. Revival started in her, but went out from her!
We carry a treasure in our earthen vessels! What do we do with the treasure? How do we steward this, spend it, share it? The Gospel is multi-faceted, it isn’t limited to one thing but many expressions of relational connection to God and others. Treasure isn’t designed to stare at, hoard, or die with. If we uncover a buried treasure only to re-bury it, that would be “burying our talents.” Here is what we should do with the treasure of the gospel:
Own it
Articulate it
Execute it
Ownership - We must own the outcome of what we have. The gospel is not a history event, although it is historical; but rather our faith is designed for more than a transaction it is for a transformation.
Articulation - Second Corinthians 4:13 says, “I believed; therefore I’ve spoken.” There is a corresponding action to our faith and this treasure being both received truth as well as spoken truth. It must be declared from our mouth. Our verbal expressions align with our God’s reality and we partner in power. To show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not us.
Execution - The last piece is aligning with the Holy Spirit “... to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). If we own our faith and have the courage to speak up, we must have a plan to propagate it forward and walk it out. Jesus was about His Father’s business. Habakkuk 2:2 says, “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.”
I charge you to endeavor to steward and share your faith by owning, articulating, and executing it. I hope these three practical steps will help you more confidently give away the treasure of the Gospel.