Can’t Help Myself!

So many people I talk with are so afraid to share their faith they beat around the bush in sharing the Gospel. When we shares the gospel, we need to focus on the life of Christ, the hope of eternal life by faith in the Lord, and then let the Lord do the work in bringing results. In awesome wisdom and love given to us through the Holy Spirit, we can present the most attractive and encouraging message of spending eternity in His presence.
What a blessing and relief it was the day God gave me the understanding that He doesn’t hold me responsible for how people respond to the gospel. But, He holds you and me responsible for giving it rightly and living the Gospel; what someone does with it is His business not mine nor yours. 2 Timothy 2:15 / 1 Timothy 3:15
As I studied about the thief on the cross who hung there next to Jesus, I understood that if ever there was a deathbed conversion that was it! The thief lived his entire life as a sinner. As he hung on that cross with blood coming out of his hands and feet, he said, “Lord, remember me.” You know Jesus’ response by heart: “Today you shall be with Me in Paradise” Luke 23:43.
Do we not see here in this part of Scripture and witness the exchange of death for life. The conversation teaches us three important truths about conversion.
1. Like I tell my guys in prison no one is ever too far gone to become a Christian. Can you think of someone you’ve written off? “Oh, they will never come to know Christ. I’ve tried everything I know to win him, and he’s never going to respond.” When you’re tempted to think anyone is beyond the reach of grace, remember the criminal on the cross.
2. Your godly life is the most effective tool of evangelism. Socrates called words stupid things. I’ve never seen that more evident than when people force a witness with words. The real message is in our life. When our life draws the attention of lost people, we will have sufficient proof to back up the words we use. Let God do the work in their lives and in yours. When He does, we’ll be amazed at how He brings us the appropriate words at just the right time. 1 Corinthians 2:10-16
3. All that God requires and accepts is simple faith. What qualified the thief for heaven? He didn’t perform any good works to earn heaven. In no way did he prove himself worthy of eternal life. So, what had he done to receive eternal life? What did Jesus accept? Faith, simple, unadulterated, and unproven faith in the living Christ, that’s all God requires, and that’s all we can offer when we share Christ.
Father thank You for the salvation You have given us through the blood of Jesus, Your only Son and our Lord &Savior. Please strengthen us in our witness, place before us every opportunity to bear witness to the lost the blessed name of Jesus all to Your honor & glory. It is in His most powerful name we do pray. Amen.
In His Love,
Sandy Perry,
05/20/09