How does the family of God grow? How does a man or woman who is spiritually dead meet Jesus Christ and be born again into the family of God? How can we who are children of God encourage and love those who are lost into the arms of Jesus?
We live in desperate times. People from all walks of life and in every socioeconomic stratum are in great need. One needs physical healing. Another needs relief from loneliness. Still another needs freedom from addiction. And they all need Jesus. We all need Jesus.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) There is great need for the hearing of the word of God in our families and in our communities today. And the word of God that we all need is not just the word that is spoken in pulpits on Sundays and Wednesdays. The word of God that we need is not just the word spoken by our missionaries and teachers as they travel. No, the word of God that we most need is the word of how we live each and every day of our life before a lost and dying world.
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9) If you have been saved then you have been chosen and you have been given a marvelous and glorious task. This task is of utmost importance and will bring you great blessings and great joy. Your task is to proclaim the praises of Him who called you with your very life.
Joyful, thankful people are the most attractive, pleasant people to be around. Those who are blessed and know it, and then humbly share their blessings with others, will always draw a crowd. Although we all face difficulties and troubling circumstances we can still live a life of praise and thanksgiving. And by sharing in our blessings and being generous with what we have we can meet someone else’s need.
What happens when those who are thankful and blessed meet those who are desperate and in need? Ministry happens. It is at this point that God is able to use His people to draw those who are lost and searching towards reconciliation with Christ. This is a personal process that is unique in each and every situation because every person and every need is unique.
I believe that God is calling His children to get involved in the lives of the lost and hurting who are all around them. In other words, it’s time to get interpersonal and nurture some relationships with people who may not normally be our first choice for a friend. By the way we love unselfishly and without expectation of reward we may be the only picture of Jesus that some people ever see.
It’s time to let the lost person know, beyond anything else, that they are loved. It’s time to let the struggling Christian know that they are not alone and that we are praying for them and will always welcome them back with open arms. Most of all, it’s time to tell the world that God wants to reclaim his children and desires that all men be saved.
May we live a life of such light and fervor before the Lord that there is no question that the God we serve is real and is able to save the souls of men. This is how the family of God grows.
My questions for you today are: Have you been invited into the family of God? If so, are you now living a life that invites others to join our great family?