What Are You Saying?

Alvey Augustus Adee served for forty-seven years in the US State Department Between 1886 and 1924 he was actually second assistant Secretary of State. On Adee's watch, President McKinley was approached by six European ambassadors who wanted him act to prevent a war against Spain. McKinnley wanted to say, "no" but felt that a direct "no" would not be received kindly. He asked Adee how to say it. Adee wrote on the back of an envelope:

The Government of the United States appreciates the humanitarian and disinterested character of the communication now made on behalf of the powers named, and for its part is confident that equal appreciation will be shown for its own earnest and unselfish endeavors to fulfill a duty to humanity by ending a situation the indefinite prolongation of which has become insufferable.

Can you believe that? Can you understand that? I doubt it! I had to read it four times before I even got a hint of what it was saying.

I don't believe any of us would deliberately hide the good news about Jesus in any way that would make the message impossible to hear; but we need to do all we can to make sure that the message of "Christ crucified" as clear to the people around us as Jesus intends it to be. Here are a couple of important things:

1. Keep the message clear by talking first about scripture specifically dealing with God's love, Jesus' death and resurrection, and our faith, repentance, and baptism. Use that information as you tell your own story of salvation.
   
2. Live your faith. As those you talk with see the purity and reverence in your life, they will be much more in tune to the message as you tell them the good news!
   

That's Life at Work!