Don’t Bury The Lead
A lot has changed for the better in my life since my former career as a TV reporter, but I still miss that adrenaline rush.
I learned so much about writing. The biggest lesson of all – don’t bury the lead!
In other words, don’t put the “leading” information in a news story way down at the bottom of the report.
Can that relate to sharing our faith as well?
I believe it can.
Don’t Bury The Lead
The “lead” is the most important fact of the story, followed by the supporting details after that.
Here’s an example of “burying the lead”:
“A terrible car crash tied up traffic on North Central today. State troopers think that today’s stormy weather played a big part in the collision. The massive car pileup backed up traffic for several miles. People living nearby heard the crash and described it as a loud bang. One man died when his car careened off the shoulder.”
See what happened there?
A poor soul lost his life, and the mention of his death is at the end of our example. Our fictitious reporter “buried the lead.”
It’s a good lesson for a lot of things in life.
Don’t bury the lead.
Don’t beat around the bush.
Get to the point!
Sharing Our Faith and The Good News
As Christians, we’re not supposed to dwell on the bad news in the world, because we can lose sight of the Good.
And there is Good News, Praise the Lord!
We see mere glimpses of it in our lifetime, but as Bible-believing Christians, we can also have what is Eternally Good forever.
So why aren’t we reaching out more?
Why do so many church leaders today feel too intimidated to preach the truth about sin and salvation?
The younger generation, (or so I’ve read) says they don’t want pastors preaching to them anymore. A growing number of these folks, although not all of them, want to change the crux of what the Bible teaches, so it’s less convicting. They only want the good works of a social gospel and don’t want to hear about sin, forgiveness, salvation, or the End Times.
Say, what?
If someone you cared about was driving towards a dangerous cliff, would you warn them?
Of course, you would!
Why are so many Christians pressured to bury the “lead” of the Gospel because it makes some people (of any age) uncomfortable?
Does this mean absolute truth now has to take a back seat to popular culture?
Lord, have mercy.
Whosoever Believeth In Him
The absolute truth of the spiritual battle we’re in is revealed throughout the pages of Scripture
Please see John 3:16, for example.
I bet you have it memorized.
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. – John 3:16, KJV, public domain
God is real.
Heaven is real.
Satan is real.
Hell is real.
“Should not perish,” and, some will perish. This is why, once we have a connection building with a lost person, we must talk to them about sin and salvation through Christ alone. There are lives at stake.
The Battle Is Real
There’s a spiritual battle going on right now.
Don’t let popular culture, (Hollywood, etc.) dictate to you what to think about God. (“The Shack,” movie, anyone?). Nor, should we allow the culture to define or interpret the Bible.
God is most definitely our loving and merciful Father.
But, God is also a Righteous Judge.
He will judge unrepentant sinners.
That means people that you love, who are living life with no concern for God or salvation, are in trouble, if they continue on their present course of apathy.
Here’s where we come in:
If they don’t know Christ, they are your mission field.
Invite them to church and share the Good News.
Please know that the road will not be easy. As Christians, we were never promised that, but peace in Christ can sustain us.
*No joy can excel that of the soldier of Christ: Jesus reveals Himself so graciously and gives such sweet refreshment that the warrior feels more calm and peace in his daily strife than others in their hours of rest. – Alistair Begg, Christian Pastor.
God bless
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*Begg, Alistair, “Outside the Camp.” Crosswalk.com. 06 April 2017, Web Access 06 April 2017. Copyright Truth For Life. Used with Permission.
