We used to joke around as kids about putting the school textbook under our pillow at night and learning what we needed to know for the next day’s test by osmosis. Well, it doesn’t take a genius to know that didn’t work. Being in the proximity of the book that has information doesn’t actually convey the information.
The same ought to be obvious to us as Christians. We are given the responsibility to “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). God’s command makes that good and necessary for us to do, but simply being in the proximity of a Christian who has the information about Jesus Christ and eternal salvation does not actually convey that information to the hearts of those who need it.
That’s why God told Christians to do more than be a good example. The lost will not learn the gospel by osmosis! We must open our mouths and tell people the good news about Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15; 2 Tim. 2:2). It’s worth telling, for there is nothing more exciting and life-changing!