March 17

We Work Until It Becomes Obvious

When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!” (Luke 15:17).

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Song: “Jesus Shall Reign”

“Jim, I don’t think I want to become a Christian.” Cade said this after Jim shared the gospel and his recent conversion experience.

Even though God was changing Jim and Cade couldn’t deny it, Christianity just wasn’t compelling to him. Jim asked him why.

Cade responded, “Well, I know how much change God would require in my life.” Jim respected Cade’s wishes and ended the conversation by reminding him that it is God who produces the change in us.

Even though we make the gospel plain and desirable and our lives evidence the life-changing work only God can do, others will still deem Christianity unappealing.

We don’t control the results of our gospel work because we know it is God who opens the eyes of non-believers so that they come to their senses and receive His gift of life eternal and the change He produces.

O, how pressure relieving! Since God is active through His Spirit, let us remain alert and attentive to the Spirit as we walk alongside people on their spiritual pilgrimage. We don’t push them faster than they are ready to go nor do we ignore them or abandon them to their blindness.

Father, thank You for opening my eyes to recognize the obvious goodness of Your salvation. I know others will not always see it, so I ask for strength to continue loving them until it becomes obvious. In Jesus’ name, amen.