I wonder, who is responsible for people coming to faith in Christ Jesus? There are many answers to this question and many angles to come from. Ultimately, it is Christ Jesus himself. He says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:44 “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32
But as we go to the next level, I wonder, how does Jesus do this? And here is where it gets a bit more complicated. Sometimes, it seems He makes Himself known to people without the involvement of anyone else. They have a dream, see a vision, or something happens that they become aware of the true, living God and are transformed through that experience into true followers of Christ. Other times, they get there through a search – sometimes to prove God does not exist – and by reading the Bible and other historical documents, they come to believe in the true God and begin to follow His teachings.
But many times, it is by invitation of followers of Christ. While He doesn’t need to involve us in calling people to Himself, He often chooses to use us and let us be part of the experience. And here is where it can get very tricky. I am weary of hearing people say things like, “Christians who go to church think they have the truth. Well, I don’t see any difference in them more than anyone else. They are all just a bunch of hypocrites and I’m out of here!” Many times, it is an excuse they give themselves to not follow Christ but rather follow themselves, making themselves their god. But as a Christian, their accusation stings a bit and causes me to wonder about whether or not I am one of those ‘hypocrites’ who drive people further from the true, living God.
There is a list of sins in the last days in II Timothy 3:1-9. In the past, I have always thought these were sins of people outside of the church. But as I read this scripture today, some things caught my attention causing me to wonder how much of this is actually directed to people within the church, and might it be a definition of hypocrites. “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud,… ungrateful,… unforgiving,… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power… always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth…”
Many of these are the subtle sins of the heart. They are related to motives for behaviors, not always easy to see, but even more damaging because of that. I wonder how many of us sit in church on Sunday morning listening to (learning) the truth, but never applying (acknowledging) it in our daily living. Are we allowing the Truth to sink in and transform our lives from the inside out? Paul says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 God’s will is stated in II Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” And in Matthew 18:14 “In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” And in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” And in John 10:28 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
So I wonder, how can we live out God’s will that no one would perish? I believe there are several steps and it is an ongoing process. First, I need to seek after God with everything I have – to study His Word and let it sink in. Second, I need to open myself to His Holy Spirit living in me, to be obedient to His instruction and as I do this, He will be transforming my thinking – renewing my mind – so that I respond to others the way Christ responds to others. And third, I need to die to myself. As I die to my flesh, there is more room for Him to live through me. So in the end, it is still Christ calling others to Himself, but He is choosing to do it through me as I live in submission to His Spirit in me.
I do not want to be responsible for others turning away from Christ because I am a follower on the outside, but not transformed on the inside. So Lord, do your work in me. Show me where I am in need of repentance and change. Heal me and make me a true follower of Jesus Christ from the inside out. Make me into ‘salt’ and ‘light’ so others will know who You are. Amen
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