Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 30, 2016
The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. John 1:41-42
When I was a freshman in college my girlfriend’s family invited me to church. Over the past several years their unspoken evangelistic strategy with me was to love. They loved each other by laughing together, crying together and working together—they loved me with unconditional acceptance, warm hospitality and genuine interest in me as an individual. I was not treated as a project, but as a real person with a very real need for a meaningful life purpose. I trusted this loving family, so I went to church with them and I was ambushed by a larger love—Jesus Christ!
Peter’s brother Andrew made the greatest discovery of his life when he met face to face the long expected Messiah Jesus. Taken aback by the infectious love of the Lord, Andrew went back to find his brother Simon whom he invited to come and see Jesus first hand. Simon did see Jesus and was immediately changed by the Christ—Jesus gives a new identity to His followers, so Simon’s new self started with a name change: Peter. Because Andrew took the time to take his brother to hear and see Jesus, a rock of a disciple was born again. He was called by God to lead for God!
“The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you” (2 Corinthians 5:17-20, MSG).
Who is a friend of yours who loves and trusts you—that you can invite to church? Maybe a work associate who enjoys your company and trusts you to have their best interests in mind. Or, a neighbor may have lost their job and suddenly has time on their hands to attend church. Take a walk with them, invite them to Sunday services with you and lunch afterwards. Love goes beyond just being friendly, and is bold to invite others to faith in Christ. Move toward a messy life with transparency about your own struggles—and they will feel their need for a Savior.
Perhaps your heart is consumed with your own cares, so it takes extra effort for you to care for another’s heart. If you are emotionally exhausted and spiritually spent—ask the Lord to grow your heart of love for the lost. By faith receive a fresh infusion of God’s grace and love into your life, so you can invest time in a lonely life. A life led by the Spirit is energized by selfless service to another’s needs, while a life led by the flesh is preoccupied with self-centered issues. A heart for the lost is compelled by the love of God to help friends come to faith in Christ.
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, compel me by Your love to help another experience Christ’s love.Application
Whom can I invite to church with me this Sunday?Related Reading
Genesis 35:10; Psalm 66:16; Mark 2:4; John 4:25; Acts 22:15Post/Tweet today
A heart for the lost is compelled by the love of God to help friends come to faith in Christ. #wisdomhunters #lovethelostWorship Resource
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I was disturbed about today’s reading called God’s covenant is certain but conditional. I understand that God loves me no matter what and that his love is unconditional. None of us obey God on a constant basis, that’s why Jesus came to save us. I would appreciate a response to this because it really upset me.
Dear Gina,
Thank you for reaching out to us with your concerns regarding the devotional, “Love Invites a Friend to Hear About Jesus”.
I am a little confused about your concerns and would love to discuss this further. Could you email me gwynne@wisdomhunters.com, so we can dig deeper into your response. I would love to continue the conversation, so that we can both better understand God’s message to us.
Thank you Gina. I look forward to hearing from you.
We are so thankful that you are part of the Wisdom Hunter’s family.
Grateful~
Gwynne
“If the Lord delights in a man’s way,
He makes his steps firm;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”
Psalm 37: 23-24