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 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.
Philemon 1:6 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/phm.1.6.ESV

If no-one shared their faith in Christ, no-one would come to faith in Christ. God has decreed that the means by which people come to faith in Him is through people making Him known to one another. That's how we came to faith, and that's how others will too.

So sharing our faith isn't an option extra to the Christian life; it is a must. There's no such thing as secret believers, even in lands where it's illegal to be a Christian. We need to be prepared for persecution and mockery for our faith in Christ.

Paul prayed that Philemon and his household wouldn't hide their lights under baskets as it were. Presumably that was a temptation to them. After all, it's hard to stick our heads above the parapet.

Persecution was looming in the Roman Empire. Paul was already on the receiving end of it. Philemon and his household will have been under no illusions as to the cost of publicly sharing their faith. We too must make a stand for Jesus.

'Sovereign Lord, we pray that You would help us be bold in proclaiming You to those around us. Please add to the number of Your people through our witness, for the glory of Christ we pray, amen'

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