Be a Vessel of God’s Truth
My church has an upward, inward, outward benediction every Sunday. Our pastor preaches the importance of these relational directions in our lives: upward is our relationship with the Lord, inward is how Jesus changes us, and outward is how we can be a vessel of Christ to others. Consistently reading God’s Word will also transform us in these ways! It draws us near to God (upward), it cleanses our hearts and renews our spirits (inward), and it allows us to fully live God’s command to love others (outward).
Jesus told his followers to go into the world and make disciples. These words spoken so many years ago are applicable to us as modern followers of Christ. However, it is difficult to make disciples when you don’t understand God’s Word. When I first came back to the church, I would not have been able to tell you why I believed what I did. I couldn’t have explained redemption. I didn’t know Matthew from Luke, or Mark from John.
We live in a world that increasingly persecutes Christians. Celebrities who stand firm in their faith are ridiculed, mocked, and shamed. People around us believe their own goodness and well-intentioned actions are enough. While these are hard times for us, this isn’t new in the history of the church. Christians have been targeted and attacked since Jesus ascended! This isn’t shocking to God, either. Jesus himself warned us in this world we will have trouble, but thankfully he has overcome the world.
In my lifetime, I’ve never felt more compelled to know God’s Word. I want to have an answer when someone questions my faith. I want to be able to witness to someone and plant a Jesus seed in their heart. Let me be clear, though: You can memorize the entire Bible, witness to everyone, and still not lead anyone to Christ. Why? It is the job of the Holy Spirit to convert hearts; we should plant seeds. Jesus seeds can’t be planted if we don’t know the Jesus story, though!
Sweet friends, reading Scripture — the ENTIRETY of it — will transform your life. I’ll never forget the joy I felt reading through the genealogy of Christ in Matthew’s gospel when I recognized names. Repeatedly reading the entire Bible led me to know their stories and how they fit into God’s redemption plan. As it transforms your life, you will feel more comfortable sharing Scripture and God will use those interactions to fuel the faith of others.
Be patient in the process. You will notice how His Word has taken root in your heart, and you will be all the more encouraged to persevere. The Lord wants to use you as a vessel for His Kingdom! Saturate yourself with His story and watch what He’ll do.
Blessings,
From God Not Her