How Will They Know?
“Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast;
(The Gospel According to John 12: 20-22 NASB)
These then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying,
“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
Philip came and told Andrew;
Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus.”
- How can a person know if he is growing in Christ?
- How can someone see evidence that he is turning from desires of the flesh and toward that which God desires?
- How can you know if the Holy Spirit of God is at work in you, setting you free?
Jesus knew His walk on earth was quickly coming to an end, and the actions of the enemy were manifested within the actions of Jesus’ oppressors. So many were crying: “Crucify Him” within their hearts and minds, even before Jesus was arrested in the garden and brought before Pilate.
- How can Believers spread the Gospel?
- Can it really be as simple as I tell you, and you tell another, and together we talk to Jesus about the one who is Lost and wandering in darkness, apart from the Light of the world?
- Really, can it be JUST THAT EASY?
Despite where we call home & Despite where we come from & Despite what language we speak—WE ALL NEED JESUS! Yes, Yes, every single one of us need to meet the SAVIOR of the world!
However, some will never receive the opportunity to meet Jesus unless we are the one who opens our mouth and verbally shares our testimony HOW JESUS MADE US WHOLE, telling HOW JESUS CHANGED OUR ETERNAL DIRECTION, taking us from hell toward heaven.
So, again, I ask:
- How can a person know if he is growing in Christ?
- What evidence do others see within our lives that shout, “HEY, SHE IS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST!”
- Who have we shared Jesus with THIS WEEK?
In the days leading up to Easter, we will encounter individuals who see the Easter weekend as a long holiday, as time away from their employment, and as days of fun to attend concerts or go to games. Then, there are others who see the ‘holiness’ of Easter, who recall the ‘significance’ of the cross, & who understand exactly what the ‘resurrection’ of Jesus truly means!
- How Will They Know OUR SAVIOR?
- How Will They Know THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD?
- How Will They Know JESUS, Unless We Commit to tell them Our Testimony?
We know there are certain Fruit of the Spirit we are called to cultivate, to allow to grow within us, fruit that reveals to the world EXACTLY WHO WE BELONG TO. The list is not too horribly long; nevertheless, we struggle.
That’s right, the weeds of our sinful, fleshly desires seem to choke out the ‘goodness’ that the HOLY SPIRIT FILLED US WITH WHEN WE ACCEPTED JESUS AS SAVIOR & LORD.
Maybe like me, we need a reminder of the Fruit of the Spirit, as well as the fleshly desires (the weeds of Satan) that strive to strangle out the good fruit.
The First, Most Important List—
“But the fruit of the Spirit is
(The Letter of Paul to the Galatians 5: 22-25 NASB)
love,
joy,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
gentleness,
self-Control;
against such things there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
The Second, Most Difficult to Control is the List of Earthly Desires—
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:
(The Letter of Paul to the Galatians 5: 19-21 NASB)
immorality,
impurity,
sensuality,
idolatry,
sorcery,
enmities,
strife,
jealousy,
outbursts of anger,
disputes,
dissensions,
factions,
envying,
drunkenness,
carousing,
and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
“It’s Your Life” by Francesca Battistelli lyrically places into melody what I am attempting to write in this prose. So, I encourage us all to pause, to listen to this song, & to ask ourselves:
“It’s your life; what are you going to do?”
It is so important that we set aside time DAILY to pray, as we ask God to reveal the evidence within our lives where His Fruit is displayed, thanking Him for His Fruit He has grown within us.
Also, it is crucial that we talk with God DAILY, seeking His help, asking Him to cultivate our being, to chop out the weeds of sin we have allowed to grow unchecked within us.
WE EACH NEED GOD’S SALVATION!
WE EACH NEED GOD’S CULTIVATION!
WE NEED JESUS—EVERY DAY OF EVERY WEEK WE WALK ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH!
WE NEED THE SPIRIT’S GUIDANCE—UNTIL THE DAY GOD BRINGS US HOME!
Despite where we call home & Regardless of where we come from & Truly, despite what heart language we speak—WE NEED JESUS!
Yes, Yes, every single one of us need to meet JESUS CHRIST the SAVIOR of the entire world!
“And Jesus answered them saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
(The Gospel According to John 12: 23-26 NASB)
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone;
but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
He who loves his life loses it,
and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.
If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me;
and where I am, there My servant will be also;
if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”
However—How Will They Know?
- Some people will never receive the opportunity to meet Jesus unless we are the ones who tell them.
- Some people will never hear about the Light of the world unless we open our mouths and verbally share our testimony.
- Some people will never have a chance to intimately receive God’s Amazing Grace unless you & I tell them HOW JESUS MADE US WHOLE & tell them HOW JESUS CHANGED OUR ETERNAL DIRECTION, telling them HOW JESUS PLACED US ON HIS PATH TOWARD HEAVEN.
- Some people will never know of God’s Mercy & His Grace—Unless they hear this Good News from us!