May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

What goes through your mind when someone with a bad cough sits beside you? Do you pray, Lord, don’t let me catch what he has! Being in public while physically contagious isn’t good. But believers are all called to be spiritually contagious. We are to go forth and spread the gospel of Jesus.

The apostle Paul encouraged Christians living in Corinth to be spiritually contagious. Christians are to be a triumphal procession through which the fragrance of Christ is spread and letters from Christ written with the Spirit of the living God. Paul described believers as having unveiled faces who reflect the Lord’s glory. We are jars of clay that hold the treasure of the light of the knowledge of Jesus. When others see this all-surpassing power, they will know it is from God and not us. (2 Corinthians 2:14; 3:3, 18; 4:6-7)

Several years ago I went with a church group to Cuba to evangelize, teach, and encourage Christians. The believers there were living in poverty. Materially speaking, they had very little, but their faith and hope were contagious. Their hope was not fixed upon earthly things but was firmly settled upon Jesus and the promise of a glorious future with Him. They lived out this verse: But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15). I don’t know if the Lord used me to encourage those believers, but I do know their contagious faith and hope encouraged me!

Believer, how spiritually contagious are you? As you walk in this world, are you reflecting the character of Jesus? How evident is your hope, and how frequently do you share the reason for your hope?

Lord Jesus, make me spiritually contagious! Cause my hope in You to overflow!

Jan Burkhart