As I drove home tonight, I was in tears thinking about a conversation that I had with a co-worker of mine over lunch. You see, this friend of mine has, what we would all call, a "past". She shared some parts of her story with me… which were heart breaking. We talked about all that she has endured-- and then… she shared that the Lord had put it on her heart to share the truth of Jesus with close friends and family by using the My Hope videos (link at the bottom). And, as I listened to her, I started to realize that she had a different perspective than I did about "evangelism"…
You see, her motivation for why she wanted to tell people about Jesus didn't start with their depravity, or their eternal destiny..instead she was first and foremost motivated by what Jesus had done for HER…
He rescued her from her past.
He saved her from herself.
He sacrificed His life for her, even when she had nothing to give.
He set her free from sin.
He delivered her from death and brokenness.
He pulled her back from the enemy and his lies.
He died for her, so that she could live.
It started with Him… what He had done, who HE was and HIS love for her!
It was like in a moment, evangelism really clicked for me. Evangelism is a response…telling people about Jesus really comes from the overflow of a life that has been ransomed by what Jesus did on the Cross at Calvary!
But, what I realized in my own life and in the lives of so many of those around me… is we often times forget that we were ALL ransomed!!! Ahhh!!! The story of the 99 and "the 1" says…
"So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:3-7 ESV)
Here is my question-- aren't we all "the 1"??? I mean, aren't we?! I have been around people, and myself have forgotten that we are ALL "the 1"...because in reality, "the 1" is anyone who wanders from God in any way. I mean, the reality is… if you have lied or have ever had ANY SPOT of unforgiveness in your heart… welcome to the family of "the 1's"!!! All "the 1's" have been RESCUED and RANSOMED…and I don't know about you, but I am thankful! And I remember Pastor Derek saying "Rescued people are THANKFUL people".
As I drove home from work tonight, I was in tears as I realized that I have been rescued from so much… and not just to be rescued, but then to live the life that Jesus paid for me!!! Rescued TO… Hope, Truth, Perspective, Overcoming Strength, Heart Fulfillment, Joy, Peace…
I have sooooo many family members that don't know Christ and haven't YET experienced His saving grace and love…and as I sit here, an employee of BGEA, I am FINALLY really looking at how can I, through loving relationship, share the truth of "the 1" with those that I come into contact with… even family members in other states or parts of the world. Through prayer, and getting over myself…its time to allow the goodness, love and hope of Christ to fuel my heart!!! Really, evangelism and telling people about Jesus isn't just about eternity… its about victory here and now...until eternity!!!
Lets remember. Lets take a minute to remember that someone told us about Jesus. Lets remember what He did for us. Lets remember that we are all "the 1". And.. lets ask for a greater revelation of God's pursuant love expressed through Jesus Christ. Lets ask God to give us a new perspective to fuel us as we tell our friends about Jesus... and ALLLL that He did, and is doing, for us!!!
So, I guess thats what working at BGEA for the past 7 months will do to ya… I must say, I'm thankful!!
And, for anyone that might read this and isn't sure about this whole Jesus thing… watch this video, its called Defining Moments…so amazing… His love for humanity is endless and laced in hope!!! (There are other videos on there too… and The Cross will be available tomorrow for download, and on FOX TV networks on Thursday night…. another AMAZING video… I cried through the entire thing!)
