"Pleading His Cause"
Post date: Apr 9, 2018 8:29:58 PM
"But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel." ~ Colossians 1:18
In verses 12-17 of our above text, Paul tells why some others served God. Our verse tells us why he served the Lord that he loved. It was His love for Jesus and His love for lost sinners that compelled him to share the Gospel. Charles Finney was 29 years old when he came to know the Lord. On October 10, 1821, he went to a wooded area for a time of prayer. He wrote these words later, "While there, The Holy Spirit - - Seemed to go through me, body and soul - - Indeed it seemed to come in waves of liquid love."
Finney was a lawyer and the next day he met with a client who had come for legal help. He told the man, "I have a retainer from the Lord Jesus Christ to plead His cause and cannot plead yours." He left his law practice and entered the ministry. He was greatly used by the Lord to see others come to Christ in salvation.
In our text, the word "set" means appointed. Like a lawyer, Paul tells us that it was appointed to him to defend the Gospel. He was to plead the case of Christ every where he went. We, who are saved today, are to do the same thing. We say we love the Lord, and we love people. That can only be true if we are busy sharing the Gospel. Ours is not a ministry of silence. Learn to speak up for Christ. Like Mr. Finney, get alone with the Lord and let Him fill you with His presence. Then, you will be able to tell others.
April 8th, 2018
From Your Friend & Pastor,
James H. Baker, Proverbs 3: 5-6