It is a story too grand to be told and so obvious we prepare it daily for interaction. The greatest, “proof” the world has to offer that God truly exists is YOU and ME. We have failed miserably as Christians to capitalize on our strength. The strength of our story, our testimony and legacy.
Therefore do not be ASHAMED of the TESTIMONY about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. – 2 Timothy 1:8-12
And they have conquered him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. – Revelation 12:11
We must recognize that we are already equipped to share this story with everyone we meet.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places… – Ephesians 1:3
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly EQUIPPED for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, EQUIP you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)
I have heard it sense the day I accepted Christ. The excuse that “I am not where I need to be in order to share Christ with others.” This mentality comes from the ideal of self-works and a novice mistake on our part as Christians. The reality is there is nothing we did that saved us in the first place. Therefore, the Good News is, “God saved me despite myself.” We are to come as we are not as we think we will, want or can be.
About a year after I had received Christ’s gift of salvation, a slightly older gentlemen in our congregation came forward to pray to receive Christ. The Church and this man’s family had been praying for him for over 20 years. Miraculously, God chose to save this man from himself and the pits of hell. The changes in the man were far beyond what anyone could have imagined or prayed for and were noticeable the moment he made the decision to pray. His demeanor, attitude, and outlook on life were instantly purified by the blood of Jesus. He was so overwhelmed by what God was doing in his heart, life, and family that he wanted to tell everyone and anyone who would listen to include his old friends.
In that same congregation, I met over one hundred people who had been raised in the church. People who had heard of Jesus Christ their whole life. Many of them, shared with me how God brought them to the saving knowledge of Christ through the prayers of a faithful group of believers praying for the church members by name and on a regular basis. It is the Holy Spirit which convicts mankind of sin and draws us to Christ. We are simply His vessels to point others to Him and sometimes we do so by sharing what God has done in and with us.
Sharing with someone how important it is to come to Christ as you are is a powerful message that our Soldiers need to hear. We must fight the temptation to change ourselves before we come to Christ and we must avoid telling others what they need to DO in order to become a Christian. Our salvation is not by works lest any should boast. However, this does not mean we are to sit on the couch and play video games now that we are followers of Christ.
There are no magic tickets to heaven, there are no passwords or codes needed to “get in”, St. Peter is NOT going to be standing at the Pearly Gates telling you “Halt, Who Goes there? Advance to be recognized” and follow it by some creative heavenly challenge and password. Although doing so would make a pretty cool comic strip, the reality is it is Christ that has saved us and there is nothing we can do to win or attain our salvation.
It is time resolve to come into the presence of the one and only true God as ourselves. Christ is the one that said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10
Once Christ has sought out His lost sheep and saved us from certain eternal damnation, then it is our job to share what He has done for us with others. The sharing of the Gospel of Christ and our Testimony does not save us or others but perhaps our example and words will be an offering He can use to draw others to Himself. They are most certainly what God uses to defeat the enemy.
Ours is a call to perseverance: “But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.’ It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” – Jude 17-23
In other words, you are exactly where you need to be for God to use you to lead others to Himself. Go as you are!
