Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Our Part Is To Speak - God's Part Is To Save

My Utmost For His Highest
 
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." —John 3:3
 
“Being born again by the Spirit is an unmistakable work of God, as mysterious as the wind, and as surprising as God Himself. We don’t know where it begins— it is hidden away in the depths of our soul. Being born again from above is an enduring, perpetual, and eternal beginning. It provides a freshness all the time in thinking, talking, and living— a continual surprise of the life of God. […] Jealously guard your relationship with God. Jesus prayed “that they may be one just as We are one” — with nothing in between (John 17:22). Keep your whole life continually open to Jesus Christ. Don’t pretend to be open with Him. Are you drawing your life from any source other than God Himself? If you are depending on something else as your source of freshness and strength, you will not realize when His power is gone.”  CHAMBERS
 
I was listening to the testimony of a young man the other day, sharing about a youth mission trip.  He spoke about how he and a couple other guys had shared the Gospel with someone on several occasions until he finally yielded his life to Christ.  It made me thing about how well intentioned, but misdirected our efforts can be.  Many may not agree with me on this, but I believe our responsibility is to tell, not to convince.  I believe that a person is drawn by the Spirit and we “just happen along” to accomplish God’s purpose.  We can’t save anyone.  Spiritual truth is born by the Spirit of God.  New birth is a transaction between a person and God.  If convincing were the answer, then I cannot explain why my folks shared Christ with me for 7 years, to no avail, but it was a sermon that stirred my heart and awakened a yearning to seek Jesus.  We often worry ourselves over not saying the right words, as if salvation is dependent upon us and our wisdom.  When, in fact, we are merely the messenger, sent by God.  What the person does with the message is between them and the One that sent the message.  When the Spirit prompts you to speak, speak.  God uses us for His purpose.  Something that no one fully understands, but something all of us must do.  So speak up and leave the saving part to God. ELGIN
 
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)
 
Charley Elgin

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