01/10/2020
What are you prepared to endure as you deliver the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who need to hear it? In the process of placing salvation in the hearts, minds, and souls of those who are lost do you tread precariously along the precipice of hell, and risk the loss of your own salvation? Sometimes we find that it is necessary to dine with sinners before they will hear what we have to say about our faith, but we must never let go the hand of Christ, or go out before We are sent.
“just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.”
1 Corinthians 10:33 ESV
There was a time when I found myself running with the sinners. In those years before my faith had blossomed I was as worldly as the next man, but then my eyes and heart were opened, and my faith began to transform me.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 ESV
In those early transformative years, just after my conversion, I wanted to tell everyone, especially my old friends, about God, and my Savior Jesus Christ, but I was also a babe, and vulnerable. Had I entered the places where I once travelled I might have fallen into temptation too great for my fledgling belief to resist, and survive; so I was led far away from the precipice of hell, and taught to deliver the gospel where it was safe for me to do so. I was learning the boundaries between what was good, acceptable, and perfect, and what would cost me my soul. I was growing one step at a time in faith, and gaining strength in my belief... learning how to resist temptation and walk righteously. I was under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
There is an old riddle that goes like this... “How do you eat an elephant?”, and the proper answer is “One bite at a time.” We don’t eat an elephant in a single bite, we don’t save the world in a day, and we don’t become righteous and holy with a single prayer. There is no “Poof!” Moment to becoming a saint. Some think that The apostle Paul was transformed in an instant, in a “Poof” moment, but he wasn’t... he was converted just as you and I, but then his transformation took longer...
“and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.”
Acts 9:19 ESV
So we are converted, and then transformed, and finally sent out to deliver the gospel. Our journey is not instantaneous, and takes time as we are taught through our transformation to walk with Jesus perfectly... well enough to witness first to those who will come to faith easily, then those who will challenge us, and finally, when our faith is strong enough to go to the very precipice of hell, we bring back lost souls from the edge of darkness. All of this is accomplished one step at a time... “one degree of glory to another.”
Each step is a challenge, and scripture is meant to teach us, complete us, and in this way we are equipped for every good work. So when we began today I asked this question...
“What are you prepared to endure as you deliver the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who need to hear it?”
And, you probably thought I was asking you what degree of suffering you would be willing to face. Well, that is another lesson. Today I am asking what degree of faith you have achieved, and what challenge the Holy Spirit has prepared you to endure to win souls. Sometimes we can’t answer that question for ourselves, but if we listen to God’s voice before we go out, and trust Him when we are sent to places that frighten us... we will snatch souls from the precipice of hell one day. In the meantime read the Word, develop your relationship with Jesus, and the Father; be led and prepared by the Holy Spirit... transformed, and equipped for every good work...
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for leading us to faith In you, and our conversion through Jesus Christ, but thank you also for the continued transformation we undergo as we seek out our salvation in fear and trembling. Help us father in our unbelief, and increase us so that we can go into the world, and into the dangerous places that are there, to win souls for you. Give us a trust in you Holy Father so that when you send us to a place that is a step further than we are comfortable with, that we will take that step in faith. Teach us Holy Spirit, and prepare us one degree at a time to deliver the gospel to those whose hearts have been circumcised, to dine with sinners who need salvation, and eventually to go to the doorstep of hell itself to recover lost souls. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who has delivered us from sin, and sends us forth with the gospel message to save others. Praised be your name Lord because your Mercy and Grace know no limits in coming to our rescue. We worship you Father, and await each day to hear your voice call us, and send us to claim a lost soul. All glory is yours Holy Father, and is witnessed by your grace.
Rich Forbes