2/3/2020
1 Corinthians 4:13 “We are made as the
filth of the world.”
I am currently reading a book about a
family who left a church that teaches unsound doctrine. All of its members were
deeply entrenched and devoted to their faith. When the youngest son is away
serving his church, he has an interaction with a Baptist minister who, at the
end of their meeting, prays for the young man. He is then encouraged by a
friend to read the New Testament of the Bible. This is not jarring or foreign to
him, as his faith recognizes the Bible as a Holy Book, although he has never
really concentrated on its reading before. Once the young man begins this
journey, there is no turning back. He accepts Jesus as his Savior with full knowledge
that this act will disconnect him from the family he loves so dearly. He chose
Jesus above everyone and everything he had ever known. Thankfully, one by one,
God opened the doors of each family member’s heart, and they all yielded to the
grace and mercy of Jesus. Such a powerful testimony! As they each started to
read God’s Holy Word, they began to see the truth, as well as the inconsistency
and destruction of the way they had been believing for most (or all) of their
lives.
In the past few entries of My Utmost for His Highest, Chambers has
challenged believers not to preach
salvation, for “salvation is God’s sovereign work”, but instead to share the
gospel. This was confusing to me at first; as Christians we truly desire for
everyone around us to know the saving grace of Jesus’ sacrifice for sin. Then,
as I read the account of this family’s conversion, I was struck by how, for
each member, their journeys to salvation came from them devouring the word of
God. The truth of God’s word permeated their souls, and they were forever
changed. I think this is what Chambers is talking about. We certainly can - and
should - share our testimony, but if
we stop there, the seed planted will not have nourishment; for it is God’s Word
what causes that seed to grow.
Do I trust God enough to share the truth of
His gospel with others? Isn’t this the single most important thing I can do? Am
I willing to give my all for the gospel? Dear Lord, crush my fear and help me
to be bold.
Cambers says, “A servant of Jesus Christ is
one who is willing to go to martyrdom for the reality of the gospel of God.”
The Great Adventure - Steven Curtis Chapman
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