Ready, Willing, And Able

 

"What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." - 1 Corinthains 3:5-7

I wrote about people having the "right to be wrong" the other day. How overwhelming it can be when you think that someone's decision to put their faith in Jesus depends upon you alone. Your persistence. Your eloquence. Even your prayers. Having said that, I am not suggesting that you don't have a part to play - you do. 

A friend posted the adjacent picture on Facebook just the other day. Which is what prompted the content of today's post. I was immediately reminded of Paul's explanation of the spreading of the Gospel and the spiritual power in it. 

As Christians our place and purpose is to live our lives in such a way that the world sees Jesus in and through us. Our words and our actions - the way we live and love - living by faith and walking by the Spirit enable us to cast the seed of the Gospel. 

"And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear." - Matthew 13:3-9

The sower cast the seed (of the Gospel). But not all of the ground (hearers) received the seed where it took root and resulted in salvation. The sower was faithful in doing his part - just as you and I are to be to do ours. 

" ... in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense [to explain] to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" - 1 Peter 3:15

The idea here is that we are to be ready, willing, and able to share the Gospel when the Spirit gives us  the opportunity. We don't do a "soil analysis" first so that we only cast the Gospel seed on fertile soil. As if there was a limit on how much seed we have. We, as Christians, listen for the Spirit and seeing the opportunity, seize the moment, knowing that although we play a part, salvation depends upon faith and not us. 

So - are you? Ready - Willing - Able?

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone