I love singing hymns. The worship music of today is full of praise and the love of God, but there’s just something about the old hymns that’s special. Quite often the message contained in these songs is missed. Song leaders skip verses in order to rush through a service, or we’re so familiar with the song, we say the words but don’t think about the message. One of my favorite hymns is “I Love to Tell the Story” written by Arabella K. Hankey in 1866. The words to this song cause me to ask myself if I really love to tell the story of Jesus. I like to tell amusing stories about things of my past that I think might be of interest to a friend, or I’ll tell a joke to get a laugh, but what about the most important story of all? What about the story of Jesus and His love? I’m sorry to say that I don’t tell that story enough.
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ‘tis true;
It satisfies my longings, as nothing else could do.
How many people do you know who haven’t placed their faith in Jesus? We cross paths with them each day but are more apt to talk about the weather or other trivial subjects than about eternal life. There are many people who may have heard about Jesus, but have rejected the truth. That doesn’t mean they don’t need to hear it again. Many people won’t believe what they cannot see. The truth is, they just need to open their hearts to Jesus in order to see the wonders of His love. That’s faith.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
Nobody living today has ever had the privilege of walking and talking with Jesus Christ in the same way that the disciples did. They saw Him in the flesh with their eyes and heard Him with their ears. They didn’t need quite the faith that we need. Thomas was one of the disciples, but after the resurrection he needed to see with his own eyes that Christ arose from the grave. Thomas was given that chance, and he fell down before the risen Christ in awe.
“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
Today, we walk in faith. The story of His life, His death, and His resurrection is true. Does it satisfy your longings? I long to be with Him in Paradise. The more I ponder the truth of the Gospel, the more peace I find. I need to share His truth with more people.
I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.
Most of us have hopes and dreams, but they all center around things in this life. It’s not wrong to want things, but none of these hopes and dreams are eternal. They cannot compare to the hope we have in Jesus. Sharing the Gospel is something we need to do.
When I was a child, my mother made sure I knew about Jesus. The simple songs, like “Jesus Loves Me” still ring in my ears, and my childlike faith grew and matured. I moved from believing because my mother said it was true, to a solid faith that is unshakable. I realized how important faith in Jesus is when my mother died. I was young, but I had the peace of knowing that she wasn’t truly dead but had only passed from this life to eternity with Jesus because of her faith in Him. That’s when I realized how important it is to believe in Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross.
It’s important for you to understand what He did, and it’s important to share that truth with others. What if my mother hadn’t cared enough to tell me about Jesus?
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).
How indeed. It’s up to every Christian to tell the story of salvation through Jesus Christ. If you’re a Christian, then you need to recognize that you’re a minister, a preacher, and an evangelist. How can anyone believe unless they hear the truth from us?
I love to tell the story; ‘tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.
We all have some pleasant memories. Maybe it’s a special outing you took with your family when you were a child, or an award you won for a spelling bee. We like to tell those stories, and they always bring back pleasant feelings. It’s the same with the Gospel. The more you think about what Jesus did for you, the more thankful and humble you become.
The joy of our salvation is beyond compare. It wasn’t the nails that held Jesus on the cross; it was His love for you and for me. Oh, what wonderous love that is!
“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).
The free gift of salvation has to be accepted. Many people have never heard of this love or understood its eternal importance. If you love Him, then tell His story to all who will listen.
The Gospel is simple. All of us are born sinners. Even that precious baby who is so innocent was born with a sin nature. A time will come when that baby will have matured to the point where he has to admit he’s a sinner, and the only way to find forgiveness is through faith in Jesus. Be sure that baby, that child, that teenager, and that adult who has crossed your path hears the message of salvation. Tell them about Jesus, and what He has done for you. Tell them that they need to place their faith in Jesus.
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,
‘Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
Sometimes our fellow Christians need to hear those comforting words again. There are many troubles in this life and much fear. When the doctor says “You have cancer,” or your child is walking in the ways of the world, our faith is tested. That’s when we need to speak up and remind that brother or sister of the truth of God.
Jesus said “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Sometimes we need to be reminded of that fact. No matter what happens in this life, the troubles aren’t eternal. The only choice that is eternal is whether you’ve accepted Christ for salvation, or rejected Him. Jesus Christ paid the price of our sin. He offers forgiveness and salvation. When we pass from the troubles in this life, when we take our last breath, if we have placed our faith in the finished work of Jesus, then we will step into Paradise. We will live with Him forever.
Scripture gives us a small look into the throne room of God, and the descriptions are breathtaking. Our human minds cannot possibly grasp what it truly is like being in the presence of perfect love. The only way we will ever see that place is by accepting the Gospel of Christ. The Good News. People have to hear…they have to be told. So, boldly tell the story of Jesus and His love.
What is the Gospel? God loved us enough to step into His creation and pay the redemption price for our salvation. He gave His life so we can live with Him forever.
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
That’s the Gospel in a few short words. The longer version begins in Genesis and runs through Revelation. Sin entered God’s creation when Adam disobeyed God. Even before that sin occurred, God knew it would happen, and the plan to redeem us was ready to be put into action. God the Son, Jesus Christ, would offer Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice to take sin away. You have to accept that sacrifice for yourself. You need to confess to God that you’re a sinner and believe that His blood takes your sin away.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).
Nobody can believe for you or make that confession of faith in your place.
I love to tell the story; ‘twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.
When it’s time for you to pass from this life, you’ll have eternity to sing His praises. Tell the story of Jesus and His love today and forever.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
www.straitandnarrowministry.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com
Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html
All original scripture is “theopneustos” – God breathed.
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