If our efforts to get close to God on our own strength, strategies and “hard work” were useless, then why do we think that our efforts, strategies and “hard work” can bring others to Christ? What God looks for are willing hearts and hearts that are overflowing with His love and grace. When our hearts and mind are fixated on Jesus and all that His love has accomplished for us, we are empowered and compel by this amazing love and unmerited favor. We don’t need someone telling us to work harder to reach souls. We don’t need to be pressured to reach the lost or to make disciples. It is grace that strengthens and empowers, but the law demands and puts pressure and weights on our hearts. How can I work freely when there is a weight on my back, chains on my foot and a noose around my neck waiting to condemn me?
How can I lovingly smile and embrace someone when there is an agenda on my mind that I need to accomplish? How can I say, I care when I am concerned more about where I need to take you, than how I can love and encourage you -today? My passion for the love of God is all I need to empower me to share this awesome message to you. All I need is to spend time being astonished in God’s presence; all I need is to worship and love on the Lord for He is Good; All I need is to remember how God has showered me with His love and unmerited favor; all I need is to sit at Jesus’ feet and receive His love and grace. Only then, can I be fired up to go and reach those who are hurting and in need of encountering God’s love. Only then, can I run hard and fast like a stallion, because I am compelled by love, I am fueled and fired up by the beauty of the Father and the kindness of Jesus. It is grace, God’s unmerited favor, God’s mercy and love being alive and flowing in my heart that can drive me.
It is not my efforts, planning, or burning myself out that leads a person to repentance; it’s the kindness of God. It is not my strength or ability that makes disciple; it is the Holy Spirit teaching, counseling and comforting. It is not my persistence or strategies that grows or develops a believer; Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith. The outcome is not based on my ability, efforts or “hardwork”, it’s based on God and God alone. It is my great honor that God would choose me, to reveal great outcomes through.
