Tag: evangelism

Gratitude

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 4.

Have you ever thought about why Christians in the US receive so much ridicule for their beliefs, and why Christians across the world in countries like Nigeria are being killed right now for their beliefs, more so than any other religion? If you sit back and think about it, the answer is pretty simple… Christianity is the only religion that is true. This is why Satan is constantly working against Christianity to the point of death for some Christians. Other religions are working right along with his game plan by leading people away from Christ. We hear and see other religions must be given more freedom to be spoken, but yet somehow the Gospel of Jesus must be silenced for the sake of the freedom. Something doesn’t add up.  The Bible tells us is Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

Reading 2 Corinthians 4 makes me very grateful for Paul and so many others over the last 2,000 years who have been willing to speak the Gospel so that myself and my children, and someday my grandchildren, know Jesus. Paul writes the following…

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

2 Corinthians 4:8-12

Pastor Brandon Grant once said, “The Gospel is just one generation away from extinction.” This is heavy when you think about it. This statement fills me with gratitude for Paul and those who have lived and spread the Gospel since then before me and yet also carries the weight of responsibility..not only to advance the Gospel with my children…but with others I interact with or meet each day.

Paul puts things in perspective in this chapter as well..

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

While Paul and all those who have spread the Gospel since deserve our thanks and gratitude, Paul also puts things in perspective..

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

2 Corinthians 4:7

God, thank you for continuing to pursue us and please continue to give us courage and use us as your instrument to spread the Gospel until Jesus comes again. May you receive all the glory and the praise.  Amen

 

The Only Bible..

Today’s reading is Titus 1.

The apostle Paul wrote this letter to Titus after leaving him in charge of the church in Crete. Chapter one is a prescription for church leaders or overseers called elders which in the original Greek was presbuteros. Here are some of his qualifications for an elder in Titus 1:7-9.

7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

While many may read this chapter and never aspire to be an elder, we can all learn something from it. Although we will fall short and make mistakes because we are human, we all should aspire to be more Christ-like and live in a manner that reflects Him and His glory. As we read Titus 1 and these verses, we can see these attributes in Him and thus they are all attributes we should aspire to have. We should have a healthy reverence or fear of God and do our best to live like Him which is the way He wants us to. The life he lived and modeled is the standard we should aim to achieve.

When our actions reflect Him, some may not only be appointed to church leaders and at a minimum will please Him, but we will also draw others to Him. Famous podcaster Joe Rogan has recently been outspoken about exploring church and the truth that Jesus was the Son of God who died for our sins and was raised on the 3rd. Joe has been quoted as saying, ”Christians that go (to my church) are the nicest people you will ever meet. They are really kind.” While being nice does not save you or cause you to achieve eternal life (Romans 3:23) and only faith in Jesus does (Romans 6:23, John 3:16), our actions as a Christ-follower can trigger a curiosity and  “what’s different about them” questions in non-believers resulting in them exploring who Jesus is. They may want to get to know Him which may ultimately lead them to being saved.

Some of us may have heard the quote, “Preach the Gospel, and if necessary use words.” Earlier this week I attended an event for the North Central Illinois Fellowship of Christian Athletes (https://www.ncilfca.org/). This event featured many coaches and also high school and college student-athletes discussing their faith and how they can glorify God through sports and how it’s impacting others they play with and against. One of the high school athletes referenced a similar quote that impacted him which also hit me hard. He said was following…”You may be the only Bible someone reads.”

My encouragement for each one of us reading Titus 1 today would be to read it and the above Titus 1:7-9 and reflect on the attributes we believe we need to grow in. While we may never be called to be an elder, aiming towards and living in a way that reflect these attributes will be pleasing to God and may lead others to want to learn more about who He is which could also result in them finding eternal life in Heaven through belief in Him.