June 25, 2025

Coworkers with God…

 

The strategy of God and my experience in trying to reach people for Christ lead to one conclusion: God prepares and persuades and my efforts are part of that — or not. Unless He awakens sinners, opens their hearts, draws them, empowers the gospel, and calls the lost, my efforts could be in vain. I need to rely on His leading to be part of His plan. These and other verses are clear:
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:44) 
We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:23–24)
For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:9)
God can use Gospel preaching as He did in Acts, and in the work of people like Billy Graham, and many pastors and ordinary Christians. One NT example of how to reach others is Philip who was told to speak to a Ethiopian man who was reading Isaiah and wanted to know the meaning. After Philip pointed him to Jesus, he believed and wanted to be baptized, then continued his journey. (Acts 8:26-39)

It was Paul’s practice to preach first in the synagogues and hoping to reach receptive Jews. He also relied on the Holy Spirit’s leading:
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:6–10)
And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” (Acts 16:13–15)
On other occasions, Paul reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. Some heard of the resurrection of the dead, and some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” He left, but some men and women joined him and believed. (Acts 17:17–34)
Today’s devotional reading ends with a reminder that I am a partner with the Holy Spirit and  should be alert to those who are beginning to be awakened by His grace. This means seeking those who are looking for Him and put my efforts in drawing them closer to Him. This is a challenge because many people are quiet in their search.

PRAY: Jesus, You have gifted some in evangelism yet call all of us to cooperate with Your work in drawing people to Yourself. It is my challenge to not only pay attention, but to obey whatever You tell me to do or say, not always aware of how You will use it, but trusting You with the results. I can plant seeds, but You alone can make them grow.


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