Thursday, June 6, 2019 -
Today in reading the first four chapters of I Corinthians, the Holy Spirit provided much comfort and encouragement to me, and echoed much of what “C” said to me yesterday.
For often I am frustrated that neither my example nor my words seem to make any difference in the lives and hearts of most who are around me. But this was the theme of much of what Paul was talking about in the first three chapters of this book. He reminds us, “But by HIS doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption” (I Cor. 1:30). In chapter two, he tells the Corinthians he came to them in weakness, and in fear and much trembling (I Cor. 2:3). He did not come “with superiority of speech or of wisdom (I Cor. 2:1), but “proclaiming…the testimony of God” (I Cor. 2:1). “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (I Cor. 2:14). “For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God” (I Cor. 1:18).
“C” has often told me he does not think the average person will come to Christ until they, as did he, hit rock bottom. Perhaps for many, that is the truth. Yet, as Paul says in I Cor. 3:6-9, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”
And so, I have come to recognize that I must do as Paul did, to demonstrate his faith, to share the truth of Christ’s redemption when I can, and let the Holy Spirit work. I recognize it may be years before any of my words bear fruit, and so I must show forth the love of Christ in my actions and deeds, and speak of Him as often as I can.
After I had written these words, I had the opportunity to share Christ with a man, a college professor, who’d been here for two months. He is dealing with a lot of issues and seems to be truly seeking God for answers. I’ve spoken to him once before, but this time we spoke mostly of spiritual things for more than an hour. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will move in the hearts of the many here in this unit that have heard the truth, to become sold out to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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