The Scriptures tell us that Abraham believed God and he was counted as right with God because of his faith. When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. People are counted as right with God, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives wrongdoing. David wrote in the Psalms, “Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD will never count against them.” Romans 4: 3-8
We might worry about people uncovering our wrongdoing or our wrong thinking. But we know that God already knows! We are told that confession is good for the soul and we believe it, but it is not easy. Truly confessing or agreeing with God that we are wrong, and repenting, or turning the opposite way the next time, is one of many spiritual disciplines. It is included in the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus taught His disciples, “Forgive us our sins.”
Why is confession necessary? Because it reminds us that we are not saved by our works, but by God’s rich gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). He allowed His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us. Jesus allowed His own blood and sacrifice to be the covering for our sin. It was His work that saved us!
So when we share our bounty and our hope in Christ with the naked, the hungry and the desperately needy, we need to be clear about what that means. God didn’t ask us to get our lives together before we knelt at the foot of His cross and He doesn’t ask those we are serving to do anything either.
For us to serve them, they don’t need to get their life in order. They don’t need to get a job. They don’t need to prioritize clean clothes. They don’t need to get back on their medication. They don’t need to quit begging on the street corner. They don’t even need to start reading the Bible or going to church!
They just need to know that Jesus is covering their sin and that spiritual salvation and eternal life is a free gift of God (Romans 6:23). The wanting is the first step. The second step is a confession that they don’t live up to who God wants them to be. The next step is a prayer, which is a way that they can talk about their new understanding to the God that saves. The last step is a response to what God has done and finally knowing the power that changes, but this step may take time.
This message of grace is not a diluted gospel, it is THE gospel. It is the good news that Abraham understood. It is the good news that Jesus preached. It is the good news that the disciples finally understood. It is the good news that we are called to share when we give our lives away.
If they are not interested, respond as you would to a red light: Stop talking (but don’t stop loving)! If they are interested but not ready, respect this yellow-light of caution and follow up another time. But if they give you a green light: Go! Ask them to pray or repeat a prayer. Spend time with them and keep loving them. He is the Lord of the Harvest and whether you get to see how their lives play out, or not, He is in charge and the fruit is His.
What might stop you from sharing your hope of salvation with them?
My God Who Saves, the gift of life You gave me was immense. You changed everything in my life. I want You to speak through me to see change in others. I cherish Your patience with us all. Let me be Your light. Amen.
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