Can I say something that will probably make you uncomfortable? Of course, I’m not really asking permission; it’s just an easy way to broach the topic. Living the Christian life is an impossible task.
I stand by that 100%. That is, if we try to live under our own power. Successfully living the Christian faith walk under the power of our will and flesh is an impossible task. It just cannot and will not happen.
Fortunately, for us. God knows that. We are justified, that is, our sins are forgiven, but we are not yet fully sanctified (made holy). It’s why he made the disciples wait after His ascension before beginning the next phase of their ministry.
There was a special outpouring of the Spirit at the beginning of the church. Today, every true believer has the Spirit dwelling in them.
The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, gives us discernment and wisdom (in tandem with the Word), gifts us and more.
The Holy Spirit is the gasoline that powers our faith walk. Without Him, we can go nowhere and do nothing. When we try and do something without Him it is an impossible task.
With Him, working in accordance with God’s will, all things are possible.
Do not neglect or grieve the Spirit. He is our God-given helper.
Praise God that He has not only forgiven us through Christ but empowered u with His Spirit.
The Easter season is over for another year. In Jesus’ day, it was still a time of intense instruction for the original disciples. They would spend their next few weeks being tutored and instructed by Jesus, and He would appear to many people, confirming his death and resurrection.
It would all come to a head when Jesus gathered His disciples on a mountaintop and gave them the Great Commission to evangelize the world.
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20 ESV
It was a seemingly impossible task. How could a few followers who just weeks before had been hiding for their lives take such a message to an entire world? Of course, they couldn’t, although they got well into Europe, Asia, and Africa, most giving up their lives in the process.
It was an ongoing commission taken up by every successive generation of believers, and continues today. Every believer has been tasked with sharing the gospel and making disciples. You and I are included in this group of “every believer.”
Not all of us are evangelists or pastors, but we all have a story, a “testimony” of how Jesus changed our lives. Each of us has been given a unique circle of influence to reach.
We don’t all have to travel to strange and foreign lands to be “missionaries.” There are plenty of people around us who don’t yet know Him. We can serve from wherever we are.
Do you remember your joy at discovering Jesus? You can help bring that joy to others.
We can share our stories, pray, and love the people in our circle. It can be uncomfortable to do at times and may lead to some rejection, but the results and rewards are eternal.
Are you unsure where to start or how to do it? Pray for the Lord to give you opportunities and courage and to put receptive hearts in your path. It’s impossible on our own, but He empowers us, dwells in us and goes before us.
Our efforts don’t have to be perfect and polished. We don’t have to know everything or have the answers to every question and objection. It is the Spirit who does the work of opening hearts.
Our job is to be faithful with the knowledge and gifts the Lord has given us. He makes the impossible task doable.
