Christmas Time – Tell How Jesus Changed Your Life (Part 5)

This is the fifth article in the series “Christmas Time”  and it will be the final one on this topic. I suspect some readers are asking the question, “When Is He Going To Write On Something Else?”  One reason I have done five articles is because I suspect many will still not share Christ this Christmas season. It is my hope that by approaching the subject enough times in print that it will motivate those whose hearts tend toward God and their fellow-man. If I can motivate just one person to realize they have the words of “Eternal Life” in them then maybe they will open their minds enough to open their mouths for Jesus.

Each Christmas God wants to wrap His and our story together to present them to the world but very few believers consider doing so. We figure God will draw people to Himself and who are we to mess with God’s story, yet God’s story should be our story. This misconception in the sovereignty of God has persuaded many to never share their story or the story of Jesus. So many have reasoned consciously or subconsciously that God will lead people to a saving knowledge of Christ when, in fact, God limits himself to partnering with believers in the gospel story of people who will be lost without Christ. It is a rare thing to hear of people who came to Jesus Christ without a human witness, though there are a few. I do believe that in these last days God will move more often without a human witness but not because it’s his desire or because we are not responsible to share our faith but in spite of the fact.

When the church was first birthed it was mostly Jews that got saved.  The reason was because in spite of the hard heart of so many they did study the scripture. They were taught from a young age to “Memorize” whole books of the bible, which something our current generation knows nothing about. God used memorized scripture to open their heart and convert them from self-seeking to God seeking people. This generation we now live in for the most part doesn’t know the scripture or the God of the bible. To see a person come to Christ in our time requires “Preparing The Way” just like John the Baptist did, only more so. John would preach so that the scriptures would come alive and reveal the truth of God and the truth of mankind. In our current time we are fortunate if people know the scripture or the scripture stories so we could help them understand.

When I came to Christ I was part of a non-christian family.  I did know some scripture but didn’t understand them or appreciate them.  When I met some real Christians I was able understand enough truth to be converted. My heart grieves when I hear pastors or teachers challenge people to come to Christ with what I call “Half Truths” and not the whole gospel. They speak to move people emotionally but not to move their soul. The consequence is people look to Jesus the same way they looked to Santa Claus. The only real motivation to be good is to get presents. The real or whole gospel is when people comprehend that God is our creator and meant us to live under His guidance and authority, yet we have rebelled and chosen to be independent from God in spite of His goodness. God sent Jesus Christ to the earth as a baby to win our hearts and souls so that He will be our Savior if we just ask for forgiveness and surrender to his rulership or authority.  The gospel becomes half truth when it doesn’t explain the problem in offering the solution. The gospel doesn’t work when we want God’s kindness without his rulership.

Here is the bottom line. We can’t save anyone with our witness but it is so hard for God to convince them of his intentions and their corruption without it. The early church grew from those first converted Jews who let the world see God’s love “Manifest” right before their eyes. The prophet Isaiah used that word to speak of the hearts that will be changed by meeting God’s people.

Romans 10:20   And Isaiah is very bold and says, “I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME, I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME.”

Jesus said that after his departure there would be “Opportunities to share their Testimony” with those who did not know God. He is still speaking to us to anticipate these time as they arise.

Luke 21:12-14                                                                                                                                                                               “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. “It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. “So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; 

Colossians 4:5-6                                                                                                                                                           Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.  Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

Galatians 6:10                                                                                                                                                                       So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

When you and I came to Christ, we came because someone shared their trust in God by being changed themselves. Maybe they became generous when before Christ they were stingy. Maybe they treated their spouse horribly before Christ but now they are sacrificing their own desires for their spouse and family. The point I’m making is the church, God’s people, made a difference by what they did and said just like the early church. Remember the old saying, “A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words.”  It’s true that when Christian live for God it shows. We just need to talk more about that transformation. We need to explain “Why” we changed.

Acts 2:42-44                                                                                                                                                                               They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 

Our testimony can make a difference regarding whether people believe that God loves them. If we speak, however we share, lives will be impacted.

The best Christmas gift you and I can give God would be to get over our insecurities and fears and share the love of God, through our testimony, with a person who needs Christ.

Psalms 119:167-168                                                                                                        My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.  I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You.

Questions:

1) Will you yield to your insecurities or to the Holy Spirit this Christmas season? Lost people are depending on it.

2) Will you believe for a “Divine” opportunity? Someone’s life will be greatly impacted if you do.

Pastor Dale