Daily devotional, March 21, 2024 Super Urgent
“His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Luke 3:17
Sense of urgency — is that nagging feeling that you have to do something. That you have to carry out a task because if not, there will be huge consequences. The consequences could either be scary, or down right negative, and it can be inflicted to you or the people you most care about.
As followers of Jesus Christ, who have been redeemed even from the most unmentionable of sins, saved, made brand new and are now living imperfect yet God-honoring and peaceful lives — we feel a sense of urgency to share our faith with others. At times we are prompted to talk to others about Jesus and how He can unchain people who are trapped in waywardness, sinfulness and depression. But sometimes we find it hard to share our faith, as we are reluctant to be seen as an obnoxious person trying to convert others who are “just living their lives.”
Let us follow Jesus Christ’s example as he moved to carry out the mission the Heavenly Father has for Him, with compassion and exigency as he moved to heal the blind man even on Sabbath:
"We must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
John 9:4-5
So what are we to do? How do we balance that sense or urgency to share the Good News of Salvation, and not being too preachy or pushy to others who may not be too welcoming of the Gospel? Well the only way is to try. When you feel prompted to talk to someone about Jesus and the Good News then start the conversation. Be bold enough to share our Savior with others.
One line in the Beatitudes says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,” (Matthew 5:4). Scholars say this “mourning” does not point to the mourning for the dead but the pity we feel for others who have yet to see the Light of Jesus. Let us allow that feeling of mourning to push us to share the good news to those persons who need Jesus in their lives.
"Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed." Romans 13:11
So how do we practically carry this out? Well while conversing with someone and you feel prompted to share the Good News to him or her, lead the conversation towards faith. Like tell them you are enjoying your talk, and you are learning a lot, and you are wondering “how they stand spiritually.” Most would say they have a religion but they are not practising, or others may say they are Christians already. While others may say they are not really sure because they may not be good enough to be religious.
So if the answer points towards not being too sure if they are a follower of Jesus, or they are not practising because they are not really sure if they should or because they are still trying to be better people, then you can now start telling them about Jesus. Simply tell them that there is a Savior, who is born of a virgin, did not inherit the sinful nature of man, but is instead of the spiritual nature of our Heavenly Father making him perfect and without sin. He is the Lamb of God, who is the perfect sacrifice for all of us, and He died in our place so that we could be forgiven from our sins and guilt feelings.
"But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments." 1 John 2:1-3
Then we can explain that we can receive Jesus Christ’s forgiveness by stepping away from our sinful lifestyle and calling on Him in faith. Acknowledge it if he or she says that it sounds easy, because it really is. Say that it is because it is God’sgrace — it is a gift that we do not deserve and that is why it is called the “Good News.”
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9
And then tell him or her that when we confess that Jesus Christ is our king, our priority, the number one in our life and that He is our Lord, He will forgive us from everything that we have done. No sin is unforgivable, no one is beyond His forgiveness and cleansing. All we have to do is to surrender our lives to Him, and abide in His presence. With Him we get to have a brand new page on our notebook that is filled with doodles of sins. We get to start with a clean slate, BECAUSE HE WILL MAKE US NEW.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he isa new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
2 Corinthians 5:17
Once we have shared the Gospel with someone and helped them pray the prayer of accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior, we get to accomplish the mission Christ has for us — “which is to make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28;19). We get to be the light of the world, and we get to change the life of someone who may be losing hope already. Yes, it may not be too easy in this world and in this culture to be bold for the Lord, but as a follower of Jesus Christ who has been saved, snatching someone from the fire is worth all of the effort and sacrifice.
"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." Romans 10:9-10
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on 1 John 9:1-12 and 1 John 2:6 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question:Have you ever shared the Gospel to someone? Why or why not?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father thank you for adopting me into your family. I want others to experience the same salvation you have given me. So, I pray that you embolden me to share the good news to them, so that more and more people could follow you and experience the joy and peace that only you can give. Amen.