“And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.” Eph 6:19-29 NLT

Everyone speaks, even the deaf and the dumb, fishes and other animals. The scripture says the trees clap their hands, mountains and hills sing (Isaiah 55:12) human beings and nature all find a means to express themselves. The critical issue is what are we saying, who are we speaking to and who are we speaking for? 

Also, is what you are saying bringing comfort or discord? Paul is requesting for prayers from brethren to pray for him not to remove his chains but for boldness to speak for Him (Jesus) and to speak the right words as His ambassador. Are you God’s ambassador? 

Paul reminds you and I about our responsibilities as Christians -firstly to speak for Him and secondly what to say- “boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.” Thirdly, who to speak to -Jews and Gentiles 

1. Speak for Him. Speak for Jesus not Satan. Don’t be the devil’s advocate. Don’t go from house to house peddling rumours, carrying fake news, rather sit down study the word of God and disseminate the good news. The good news is simple “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16. 

Carl Medearis said “The gospel is not a debate or a list of things to believe. The gospel is a person. Jesus Christ is the gospel. He is the truth. He is the point. He embodies all of the salvation/redemption/forgiveness/freedom stuff Himself, and because He is a personality, He does not require doctrinal mastery to connect with an individual” You can use every season to speak for the Master in your school, work place, neighbourhoods,  even in the church .

2. Explain the Mystery of the Gospel. Someone asked me recently “Why did The loving God allow suffering . I said he is asking the wrong questions. The question he should ask is “why is God keeping him despite  the suffering? God keeps showing his love to humanity, we keep manufacturing weapons of destruction. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Pet 3:9 

When we preach Christianity, we have to own it. When we preach Jesus, we don’t have to own anything. Jesus owns us. We don’t have to defend Him. We don’t even have to explain Him. All we have to do is point with our fingers, like the blind man in the book of John, and say, “There is Jesus. All I know is that He touched me, and wherein I was once blind, now I see” 

Sometimes ago my alma matter - CAC Grammar school Efon Alaye celebrated its 60th anniversary. While on a virtual meeting we all, including myself introduced ourselves. Someone commented  that  “ Dele Dada was very stubborn and rascally then” I  said “it’s not what I was that matters but who I am now. Today I am a child of God a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” The question is who are you now? Has the word of God changed your life. Have you allowed Jesus to make an inroad to your life, family, colleagues and friends? This is the second half of 2023 the year is going to an end - tell the world about the transformational power in the birth, death and resurrection power of Jesus. Tell the world what Jesus has done for you . Be His witness.

3. Who are you speaking to- Paul says he is speaking to the Jews and Gentiles, metaphorically saying believers and unbelievers. I encourage the believers (Jews) that are backsliding not to backslide better seasons are coming. Speak to those that are sick that Jesus is still in the business of healing. Speak to those in debt, distress, dispossessed, frustrated, that they should look unto Jesus the author and finisher of their faith. 

For those who have lost relations, be comforted the world is a market place, we go in and go out, we all have expiration dates, what matters is that we know Jesus so that we can reign together with him. And for the Gentiles (unbelievers)-I encourage you to make Jesus  your Lord and Master- Jesus is always the reason for the season. Jesus is coming back again. Forsake your sins - for the wages of sin is death and the gift of God is eternal life.

Conclusion: God spared your life for a reason. It’s not because you’re better, more faithful, prayerful, not because you paid tithe or attended virtual or in- person Christian programs- God preserved you because he chose to love you and make you a showpiece of his mercy. Use the social media, your voice, your body, money, time, energy, resources and all that is in you to tell the world that Jesus is Lord. Speak for Him today and He will speak for you now and forever. He will tabernacle with you on earth and welcome you to your mansion in the world to come! And like Paul requested pray for Amos Dele Dada that he will have boldness, wisdom, energy, long life and inspiration to listen to What The Holy Spirit is saying every morning and write for you and that you will enjoy it, learn from it, more importantly act it on it to transform your life and share it with your contacts. Shalom