He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins – and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
1 John 2:2 NLT
As a young evangelist, I was captured by the importance of securing commitments to salvation. In some ways this was a numbers game. The competitive nature of storytelling at events such as the annual Evangelists’ Conference, revealed a highly competitive group of evangelists, and in doing so, in my opinion we lost sight of the holiness of humanity. Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s work of salvation is to offer hope in what may often look like a hopeless set of circumstances.
One reason I believe that hope can drain from us is the culture of news media. Its constant, often aggressive, questioning of every form of authority usually creates defensiveness on the part of the interviewee. So we have a picture that those entrusted with the government of the country, as well as other politicians, are by nature, if not liars, deceptive, leading to a loss of trust in public servants.
In reality I need to focus my gaze upon the work of Jesus and recall that without entering into a practical understanding of that work, not one of us can find any security or stability in this life. Also, the good news, this work of recovery of relationship with God, is available to anyone and everyone.
My job is in part to explain the gospel message, yet far more compelling is living it. As a visual aid I hope to provoke questions, and my words are then a response to the felt need of another. The challenge is always, in what ways is the Way of Jesus distinct from the ways of this world?
QUESTION
What opportunities do you have to tell others about Jesus?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you that you took and atoned for my sins. I am so thankful.