A few weeks ago, something brought my attention to a young man on Sunday who shared with students quite a bit younger than him how God loves even the people who do not choose him. His statement stopped me cold and I listened. It then reminded me of something I prayed in January you know those new year goals and dreams. I prayed that God would give me the boldness to tell someone, not about Jesus, many know about him, but less know about how enter into a relationship with Jesus one that would not be solely about avoiding hell and entering heaven though that is part of my desire, because I know what it is to live apart from Christ for hours, days weeks years and months looking for the assurance that I could know I had been forgiven and did not have to face condemnation and punishment from God I would not want anyone or myself to experience an eternity without God through Christ. I imagine nothing more hopeless than the thought of this. No rescue, no fulfillment, No compassion, No joy, no justice, No restoration. No joy no peace. No comfort, no absolute. Nothing would matter at all without access to God through Christ for me. Yet I know many I deeply value believe that their greatest hope is found within the source of self-ability.
Anyway. evangelism isn't something that comes naturally to me or something I would ever say is something I am gifted with. When you spend years in a sea of doubt regarding your eternal security all through middle school and through a good portion of high school, it seems almost hypocritical to share the Gospel with others. Satan will tell you can't share the gospel with others because look at you, you wasted years wondering if Jesus really did rescue you after all. You will only confuse people the enemy says, so you should not try. Maybe you never had such thoughts, and if you did you sure would not admit those to all of your blog readers right? I remember that moment in high school telling God I didn't want to live with the invisible question mark above my head anymore. I knew I heard the Gospel at age seven, and in whatever capacity I could at the time remember praying that Jesus would be in my life, and recited I knew and believed Jesus died for my sin. Somehow through the years the memories and details of that event began to get fuzzy. This led me down at least 3 years of miserable doubt wondering if my salvation "took" for lack of a better phrase. I kept my secret torment to myself many years, but those doubts led me to dig deep into scripture, long after I had been baptized and joined the church. One night I guess somehow my mom seemed to be aware this was an issue I was dealing with, and she said "you know T.J. if you are worried about it all you do is ask, and God will settle it. So one night I did. Something like God I don't know if I was saved then and just don't remember it, or if I simply have a hard time trusting you to do as you promised but either way I don't want to live in this state of any more, so please help me know that I belong to you. While many might have walked the aisle or been dunked again I never felt I needed to because for me it was more for my benefit than anyone else. I knew everyone else was assured of my commitment to follow Christ years ago the only person who doubted that was me and given the limitations I had at that point, I do not feel that Jesus was commanding me to a "rebaptism" because for me it was an issue of my choosing to believe Jesus had the power to rescue me and that he would do as He said He would. In my case, It was an issue of my not asking him to. Why am I sharing this with and what does it have to do with a middle school boy from church?
About a month ago my sister-in-law boldly made the courageous step to share her story and her obedient choice to be baptized again. As much I never wanted to share this part of my story on Facebook. I was so encouraged and challenged by her openness this I had to ask myself why was I so reluctant to share my own story? After that night, which I mentioned above, it was amazing how God opened my eyes and heart to the many verses of assurance. That night was a turning point for me. Fast forward to a few weeks ago to hearing this middle schooler tell his younger peers in his own words God loves everyone, even people who do bad stuff. At that moment, I realized in many situations you don't need a formal plan of Salvation or a course formula on sharing the Gospel. We know the truth and facts, but we are scared to speak up and say this is what Jesus has done for me, and I know He can and will this for you. In fact, He has done this for you already, He is just waiting for you to put your yes on the table.
I don't know if I will I get to see someone come to Christ by sharing my faith. That isn't the point, the point is am I able and willing to set my pride aside to share with others the best thing that ever happened to me? I am more willing than I was a month ago, due in no small part to a middle schooler who took God at his word, 2 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.1 Tim. 4:12
Don't miss your sunset share what counts and relax in the truth. This young man shared what He knew to be true of God. What an example to be followed.
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