Every person in this world is on a spiritual journey. Consider a mountainside with God at the apex and destruction at the bottom. The journey can either be upward towards God or downward to destruction. We are born with a natural tendency to go the easy way downward, yet God is calling us to a higher place.
On this path there are two distinct types of people, believers who are heading towards God and non-believers who are facing away from God. Because of the uniqueness of every individual, we are spread out at different places along the path.
God's call is not only to focus on Him, but to also pay attention to others along the path. Matthew 22:38-40
As we meet believers on the path, we must look out for each other. We should encourage them along the way. We can also help others by pointing out things that we struggle with. The idea is to help people move toward God. Jesus and Paul gave us warnings not to trip up those who are further behind us.
We also must be aware of the non-believers heading toward destruction. Look for ways to persuade them to turn around. Don't wait for them to wander in to a church service. Why not follow the pattern that Jesus used? We have to be willing to build relationships with non-believers. We must have transparent love without prejudice.
You see, it's not a program, plan or memorized speech. It should just be a way of life. We should be attractive to others because of Jesus in us.
Now I must get to the point. During the day, how many times do you spend 5 minutes with someone? Think of the people you encounter, waitresses, gas station attendants, tellers, neighbors, co-workers, and the list is endless. It doesn't matter if they are believers or non-believers. The question is this.
After spending 5 minutes with them, did you leave them 5 minutes closer to Jesus?
On this path there are two distinct types of people, believers who are heading towards God and non-believers who are facing away from God. Because of the uniqueness of every individual, we are spread out at different places along the path.
God's call is not only to focus on Him, but to also pay attention to others along the path. Matthew 22:38-40
As we meet believers on the path, we must look out for each other. We should encourage them along the way. We can also help others by pointing out things that we struggle with. The idea is to help people move toward God. Jesus and Paul gave us warnings not to trip up those who are further behind us.
We also must be aware of the non-believers heading toward destruction. Look for ways to persuade them to turn around. Don't wait for them to wander in to a church service. Why not follow the pattern that Jesus used? We have to be willing to build relationships with non-believers. We must have transparent love without prejudice.
You see, it's not a program, plan or memorized speech. It should just be a way of life. We should be attractive to others because of Jesus in us.
Now I must get to the point. During the day, how many times do you spend 5 minutes with someone? Think of the people you encounter, waitresses, gas station attendants, tellers, neighbors, co-workers, and the list is endless. It doesn't matter if they are believers or non-believers. The question is this.
After spending 5 minutes with them, did you leave them 5 minutes closer to Jesus?
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