Sinners are helplessly drawn into sin, and can do nothing
else (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). We cannot expect them to act any other way (Luke
23:34). Their spirit is dead in sin. Satan uses all the tools in
his arsenal to deceive them and blind their eyes to God’s Truth. They need a
Savior. God puts us in their lives to develop witnessing relationships with
them (1 Corinthians 9:22). We serve them, as Christ served His disciples; in
order to win some of them to Christ (1 Corinthians 9:19).
We are a poor witness to the unsaved, as long as we dabble
in the same deception and sinful practices that they do. We also get sidetracked
in ceaseless religious activities that actually prevent us from doing God’s
will. It is only when we walk in obedience and the power of God’s Spirit that
we can hope to make an impression on anyone for God. When they see God’s power
manifested in our life, and they see answers to our prayers, they will want to
draw away from a sinful lifestyle and rest in God along with us (Mathew
11:28-29; Isaiah 11:10).
They will cease their works, as we have rested from ours,
because they too will enter into the rest of the Lord (Hebrews
4:10). They will abide in Him, live in His abundant life, and live a life of
praise for all that the Lord is, as well as for all of His benefits (John
10:10; Psalm 103:2). They will also achieve holiness through their
relationship with Christ rather than by adherence to the law. When we abide in
Christ, He brings rest to our soul. We depend upon His peace within us through
every obstacle we experience in life.
When we are immersed in Christ, we serve Him effortlessly,
because we work, not through our own efforts, but by His Spirit within us. We
are dead, and our life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians
3:3). Therefore, when Jesus works in us, He does His works through us. He
changes lives by using our body, soul and spirit. We do not need to strive to
endeavor to live by Jesus’ example, because He lives His life through us. We
make no effort except to enter His rest (Hebrews 4:10).
We do not attempt to accomplish a great feat or crusade for
Christ, because that would defeat His will for our life, unless He leads us in
that direction. We simply obey His Spirit moment by moment throughout the day.
He sprouts the fruit of His Spirit in us, and we share them with all those He
leads us to speak to or to visit. We are not saying the words, but He is
speaking them through. We are a lifeless glove, and He is the hand that
controls our movement.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, once we come to You for salvation, You live in
us and love our whole world through us. We follow Your Spirit and You use us to
pour out Your forgiveness, love, patience and gentleness on those You bring
into our life. Our neighborhood, family, job and acquaintances are our mission
field. Remind us that Christianity is a relationship with You, not a religious
tradition (Acts 17:25). It is not only about attending
a church once a week, but also about surrendering to Your Lordship in our life.
As long as our soul is at rest in You, we no longer need to strive to perform
religious works (Philippians 1:6). Christ is all and is in all (Colossians
3:11).
Thought for the Day:
Cultural Christians give Christianity a bad name, because
they keep one foot in the world; and simply dabble in the faith, rather than
immersing themselves in the Living Word.