God has given you a vital ministry. What are you doing with it?

I have been thinking about the light bulb moment when a person having heard the Gospel message and decides to put their faith in Jesus Christ. What is at that actually happens at that moment in the persons mind and much more importantly, what is that happens in the person’s heart?

Firstly we have to remember that God has chosen to use us to share the gospel with those people who don’t know Him. He wants us to tell people about the relationship that he longs to restore with them, because He gave us the ministry of reconciliation. In simple terms witnessing for Christ is our responsibility. We must obey the command that Jesus gave us to go and tell people about Him.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:16-17

The Gospel has a power like nothing else. The message of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is a life changer. As an evangelist I have seen the power of the Gospel at work on a one to one basis, in large groups and while sharing on the streets or speaking at dinners. Something incredible happens when the Gospel is shared and I never tire of seeing its impact on the lives of people.

The point to notice is that the Gospel becomes a life changer when a person decides to believe. It is clear from the scripture that “It is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes”. We know that some people can hear it but still decide and choose not to believe it.

What happens before that decision making moment, when a person hears scripture, a message or a testimony of salvation in Christ? What is it that opens a person’s heart, so that they decide that they want to obey the Gospel, repent of sins committed and put their faith in Jesus Christ?

Making a decision for Christ always involves the work of the Holy Spirit and His work is essential to conversion. He convicts hearts of sin through the Word of God and proclamation of the Gospel. In every instance of conversion in the New Testament, the Spirit and the Word are never separated. The word of God was spoken to every person who was converted to Christ.

We can and should pray for friends, family and others to have a revelation of who God is and how He sent His only Son to die for them. Sometimes amazing things happen when we do this, as God moves upon a person’s heart. But the onus is really on us to talk to people about Jesus, communicating and engaging them with the word of truth.

I hardly ever quote from the Message version f the Bible, however its interpretation of the scripture regarding the ministry or reconciliation that has been given us by God, is very clear.

“God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now.” 2 Corinthians 5: 20-21 Message Bible.

This made me ponder, “What am I doing with the task that God has given to me”? It is also a question that I must ask you. What are you doing in your role as an ambassador for Christ? Very likely you would agree that many of us could do more, step out of our comfort zones more often and take risks in sharing Jesus. Many of us need constant reminding to do this. When we do, the Holy Spirit goes right along with us. Incredibly He works through us.

The scripture speaks of God making His appeal for reconciliation through us. He has given both you and me that ministry and it is fact that we should not ignore.

Key Point: God had entrusted each of us with the ministry of reconciliation. 

We should let Jesus light shine through our lives and actions. This is vital because when the opportunity comes along to witness, we have credibility. In fact, we cannot make Gods appeal without actually saying something. At some point we have got to talk to people and tell them what Jesus did for us, through sharing our testimony, or sharing the Gospel in some way. 

This message is not intended to make people feel guilty, but rather its a reminder of what God says He wants us to do. Looking at scripture we will find clear commands from Jesus to tell people about Him. He always spoke with encouragement, pointing out our relationship with Him saying, “Do it because you love Me”.

When we share the Gospel the Holy Spirit is always there working through us and He has the power to open the hardest of hearts. We just have to believe this as we share it. Gods Word is alive and working! We are living proof of the fact. The Holy Spirit opened your heart, and mine at some point. Yes, our own light bulb moments.

Scripture that spoke about Jesus opened my heart. As you share, scripture will have the same impact on others. Make a concrete decision to believe God, believe the scriptures and share the message - then watch the power of the Gospel do its work.  

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” Hebrews 4: 12

Pray asking God in prayer to use you. If you mean it, He will do it.

Oh, and what was the scripture that opened my heart?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. John 3: 16