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Opportunity Knocks!
I’ve always had people in my life that I wanted to share the gospel with, whether it be friends, complete strangers, or particularly my own family. However, I have let many of those opportunities pass me by.
Having spent most of my life in a church that didn’t believe in the concept of being saved by grace, but rather believed in Salvation by works, it was hard for me to come to the understanding that Christ died for us and gave us the gift of eternal life if we simply believe in Him. It is amazing to me how influential a religion can be in your life, especially if it is all you have ever known. I can understand how difficult it is for some people to break free from the religious barriers of what they depict as the truth. So, in the situation with my family, it is particularly hard to share the Truth with them, but it is something I MUST do before it is too late. This is a burden I have carried on my chest for far too long and a battle I continue to fight within myself. I want to see the peace in my close family and friends that I have in my heart, instead of the uncertainty and frustration of disbelief or unrighteousness.
In these particular verses, it seems that the rich man realizes that he is condemned to Hades and feels that he must warn his brothers of his demise. It would have been easy to do in life on Earth, but instead he chose to divulge in his riches and live a life of selfishness.
It is our opportunity NOW, on Earth, to love, care, and give to others and most importantly share the wonderful news of Salvation while we still have the chance!
Ben, thanks so much for sharing your story, that was awesome! I too struggle so much with sharing the gospel with friends and family that I know need to hear that message. I think I spend way too much time to trying to figure out just how to do it, relying only on myself, when in reality I just need to be prayerful about it and trust that God will lead me in the things that need to be said. If we will just simply plant the seed, He will take care of the rest!
Ben -
You’re struggle is shared by many. Can’t wait to unpack this some more on Sunday.
Thanks for you honesty with this. I remember a video Joe Braun shared a few weeks ago that asked the poignant question: “How much do we have to hate someone to NOT share Jesus with them (OR, in this case — to NOT be concerned about the reality of hell?)?
It’s so cool to have you, Jacki, and Nicole with us at CCC.
Blessings on your marriage, family, and business!
alan
Ben! Thanks so much for being transparent! I really enjoyed getting to know your story and look forward to getting to know you and Jacki better.
Glad to have you here…
Thanks Ben for sharing your life story with us today. What varied backgrounds we have but so connected by the grace of God. I was raised in a very legalistic funky church, the movie Son of Rambow depicts my story so well.I highly recommend it.
I often think of the verse “it is the kindness of God that leads to repentance.” I was raised under the cloud of “the wrath of God should lead you to repent.” Sounds good and religious but not biblicial. May we all be ambassadors to all me meet concerning the great love,mercy and grace of God found through Jesus.
Ben,
As I went to college at SPSU I went to a similar church, just to be blatantly honest, I still am struggling with if believing in Jesus is enough for salvation. What are some of the key verses/events that helped you get over that? I do not want to harp on that or create a theological debate on it, a subject has already been provided for discussion.
Back on subject:
I do think thank you for sharing your story as you have “painted” a beautiful picture of how God is constantly working in our lives to get us to turn towards him. And how he can use the things that we have done in the past as first hand experience that can be used to teach others. One verse that I have recently come across is 1 John 3:18. That we are to take action in loving, caring, sharing, and spreading Jesus and his story for us.
Thanks Ben…I’m with you when you wrote “I want to see the peace in my close family and friends that I have in my heart, instead of the uncertainty and frustration of disbelief or unrighteousness.” And even though I didn’t have the same church experience you had, I still find it most difficult sometimes to share with those I’m closest with. I could think of a handful of reasons why that might be the case, but it doesn’t really matter – it doesn’t change the fact that I have opportunity and I have a responsibility. Thanks for challenging us with this devotion/scripture today. Great to have you, Jacki, and Nicole with us at CCC.
Hey Ben,
Thanks for the encouragement — I know I struggle with coming up with the perfect words to say, and just need to trust that God can take care of the details! But I need to remember that our time here is short, and that God is trusting me to be His advocate in the relationships He’s given me! I really enjoyed hearing your story (nice Home Depot luck!) and your heart today.
Ben Thank you for sharing from your heart with us today. I am amazed at how many Christians try for so long, working so hard, for something that is so out of their reach…salvation. Grace plus anything else is not grace. Oh, but what a wonderful, amazing, incomprehensible, joy is God’s grace! Thank you for reminding us that no matter how far we seem to run from Him, He is with us all the time watching, waiting, and working to bring us back to Him. What perfect love!
By the way, the “funky” that you were talking about, that might have been the Goat. They should have that all cleaned up by now, but I guess you never know.
Ben my friend,
You answered your own struggle when you shared your heart. What a cool story & great example of Grace.
It can be intimidating to share when we try to convince people of the great things that God wants for them, but when you simply share the amazing ways that The Lord has personally changed your own life, there is no denying that.
Very cool.
Ben,
As you already know I had no religious up bringing and took it upon myself to start attending church. Having a near fatal car accident might have had something to do with that. I don’t know what is better. Too much information or none at all. Either way I too can look back and see that God was always been with me leading me along and preparing me. Sometimes with much resistance!
What I wanted to say is that your good works and loving ways has been enough “witness” to me and my daughters. You, Jacki and Nicole have treated us more like family than our family! And it is not just us that you guys have touched. There are numerous people I know that you have helped and changed their lives. So I believe through loving and caring for people as you have, as Jesus would, this has been and will continue to be the way to let those who may not have “ears to hear” finally listen. Living an example, just like Jesus.
And isn’t cool how we all found this special “outside the box” church at almost the same time! It has truly made a difference in my life and my daughters. We love you guys!