Many Christians in their zeal forget that they are messengers of the Gospel, to proclaim the Good News that Jesus saves; that His death, burial and resurrection paves the way to salvation. As Christians, we can do everything in our own power to convert an individual; yet if they are not being called by God, they can’t comprehend truth. Most all of us have been through this; trying to convert a friend; believing that we could convince someone to accept Jesus Christ. There is only one way to eternal life with God and that is through Jesus Christ. He is the WAY! We could not have come to Christ except that we were called or drawn.
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 14:6 ESV Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
There is only one God; but He is known by His many titles, roles and functions; just as we humans, made in His image, are known by many titles, roles and function. We all are the child of someone (son/daughter); but only we can chose to be a parent (father/mother). We can all choose to be a comforting friend that sticks closer than a brother or sister. Many have siblings and are a sibling.
Proverbs 18:24 ESV A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
God became flesh and dwelled among the people of the earth. In the flesh, He paid the penalty for our sin, in fact for all sin. God walked the earth as a man named Jesus of Nazareth. We must accept the work that God did in the flesh as a human; accept His sacrifice of His blood (life) and His body (suffering/stripes). We can’t see or accept God as Jesus, unless we are drawn by God in His role as our Father.
God leads us to Himself and eternal life through His flesh as Jesus; by His death, burial and resurrection. We enter into a parent/child relationship with God as our Father. He transforms us through the Holy Ghost, His presence and power that lives within us. God in His role as Father sends us the Holy Ghost and we become a true son/daughter/child of God. We become like the Son, Jesus Christ.
John 14:26 KJV But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Our focus as disciples needs to be on the work of the church; that is to proclaim, not call; nurture and not save. Only God in His role as Father can call and only God in His role as Jesus Christ saves. When the call is accepted and a person surrenders to Christ and accepts salvation; then the Holy Ghost, God’s presence and power lives in the new convert. We must proclaim the Gospel with ever increasing zeal and make each convert, someone we nurture! When people see our loving approach to them; to share our hope in Christ and then experience God’s love through us as we nurture them; the church will grow.
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