2 Corinthians 3:4-6 – Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Who do you tell about Jesus?
Is there anyone you have shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with? I feel like I truly fall short on this measure. I spend a lot of my time interacting with other believers. I don’t know many unbelievers. Except in my extended family. I don’t even truly know where they all stand, and to tell the truth I’m not very confident in telling them about my faith. Why? I don’t want to risk embarrassment, I don’t want to alienate them, and I don’t want them to feel pressured to think one way or the other. I know that the Holy Spirit is the initiator of faith, but we are also called to minister and spread the word of God. I think sometimes I fail miserably.
Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God.
I am sure of what I believe. Do I have doubts? Regrettably, I must say at times I do (though usually quite fleeting). But I have confidence in God. I know that God follows through on what He says, and I know that because of Jesus Christ, because of His Scriptures, because of the faith of others and because of His work through the Holy Spirit in my heart.
Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us
Notice, I am not competent because of myself. I don’t really have anything to do with my faith, except that I don’t deny it. Usually. I guess that’s where I fear I fail sometimes. When friends or relatives say things that seem pointed toward my faith or more likely my religion, I don’t always do a good job of standing up for my God, myself or my church. Recently I was able to spend time with some of my family, and we had an amazing visit. It was truly a blessing. There was a moment on one day that was really hard for me. Some one I care about deeply said something in a pointed way about Christians, and I said nothing. It wasn’t a flattering statement about Christians or Christianity. I said nothing. I didn’t know what I could say that would glorify God. I also didn’t want to get upset and ruin the time we had together. Discussing the situation with my friends, some said that maybe, because I always seem to have a comeback or answer, maybe this time, silence was the right thing. I pray it was, but I feel like I let my Lord down. That when people were throwing stones and minimizing what He has done for us, I didn’t stand up and say, “He died for all, He wants you to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.” That (or something more eloquent) is what I wished I had said.
Our competence is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant
I don’t know what I was supposed to say, but I pray that when given another opportunity, I would be able to use the competence, use what I know to be true as worked in me by the Holy Spirit, to speak confidently. I pray I will trust God and the competence He has worked in me. I pray I will not be cowardly. That I will not miss the opportunity to have a conversation I’ve been praying to have. I want nothing more than to spend eternity with my family in heaven.
Not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life
I don’t have to live the rest of my life beating myself up over this one missed opportunity. The Holy Spirit can work in this person’s life other ways. Their faith is not dependent on me, but the Lord’s work in their lives and their ability not to reject it. I have been blessed that I no longer live under the condemnation of the law. When I don’t measure up, it’s not the end of the world. There is grace for me, grace for my loved one, and I can trust that the Lord has this at hand. While I don’t want to miss another opportunity, I don’t have to live pained by the one I missed. I will trust God, be competent and confident.
God is... 