We are always stewards of our own lives. We have free will which means WE choose our who, what, when, where, and how’s of our day… and by extension - our lives.
I think that one of the first things we need to do, is remember that we never save anyone. That's really not our responsibility. What we do is to share who Jesus is in our lives, what being born again has meant for us. (This is called, giving your testimony,) We rarely give the respect our testimony can have. When we give our testimony... we are doing 2 things. Lifting up the name of our Savior and sharing how that has made a difference (never forget that we all are works in progress.
There are a number of scriptures that point to our responsibilities:
"But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect." [1 Peter 3:15]
" 7 So neither is the one who plants nor the one who waters anything, but [only] God who causes the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one [in importance and esteem, working toward the same purpose]; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers [His servants working together]; you are God’s cultivated field [His garden, His vineyard], God’s building." [1 Corinthians 7-9]
"34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to completely finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘It is still four months until the harvest comes?’ Look, I say to you, raise your eyes and look at the fields and see, they are white for harvest. 36 Already the reaper is receiving his wages and he is gathering fruit for eternal life; so that he who plants and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this case the saying is true, ‘One [person] sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap [a crop] for which you have not worked. Others have worked and you have been privileged to reap the results of their work.” [John 4:34-38]
It's just like seed planting. Some sow the Word... Some water what was sown... Some reap the watered sowed Word. Everyone has a role and is equipped, enabled, empowered by the Holy Spirit to do their part. And what an honor it is to be able to act in any capacity as the Lord's fellow workers.
Paul said:
"Working together with Him, we strongly urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain [by turning away from sound doctrine and His merciful kindness]. For He says,
“At the acceptable time (the time of grace) I listened to you,
And I helped you on the day of salvation.”
Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation...” [2 Corinthians 6: 1-2]
The interlude? It's over. It's time for us to do all we are called to do - NOW.
[[ Lastly - if my blog post on October 7th (Reject a Gift?!!!) is something you can share with a family member, friend, … do. And if they get angry they can get angry at me rather than you. (Hmmm but it is you who shared it… that may not work. Worth a try though.). Let's face it - how much more time do we have to plant a seed or water it? I have no idea when the Lord will return, but I do feel that it is closer now than ever before, I also believe we all have people in our lives that concern us because they haven't accepted what Jesus did for them. I'm beginning to think that the hardest people to talk with are those who really are 'good' people and don't see their need. The second hardest are the 'churched' - they've gone to church all their lives and think that is sufficient (many times because the salvation message has not been preached from the pulpit).]]
No comments:
Post a Comment