We Serve a Great God!

The eternal security of millions of people depends upon you picking up the phone right now and making that gift...”

The radio pitchman making that claim and trying to pursuade his listeners to give to the campaign to buy a bigger transmitter and reach more people for Christ likely had a good heart and righteous intentions – he simply wanted to raise money so that the Good News of Jesus can spread across a wider area and more people will hear the Gospel and more will get saved. It's all good, right?

But the truth is that it could be so much better! Instead of using the often-used worldly wisdom of guilting people into giving by making it sound as if they are responsible for someone going to heaven or not, he could have proclaimed that, “Jesus died for you and for me and for the whole world and we have been commanded to go and invite people to follow Christ! A more powerful transmitter would be a great tool in the hands of God and His people! It will bring much glory to Him and many people to salvation and growth in the Lord.”

It may seem like a subtle difference, but it makes a huge change in how we think. In the first example, we are told that we have to step up and give because God is powerless and unable to reach those extra listeners in any other way except for through our providing a new transmitter. We are made to think that it is up to us to provide salvation for these people that haven't heard – the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, the work of other Christians in that area, and the power of the Holy Spirit to intersect lives and bring people to salvation is totally ignored.

In the second example, though, our thinking becomes more Biblical and Christ-centered. We remember that Jesus died not only for me but also for those who haven't heard. Saving the lost is not up to me and my efforts but is up to God. And He gives us the great privilege of partnering with a powerful God who has provided salvation in the cross of Christ and is continuing to reach people all around the world. Saving souls is not a matter of simply giving money so someone else can preach; it is something we live out in our daily lives because we love God, we love people, and want to be obedient to what God calls us to do as His disciples.

This might seem elementary, and many might rightly say, “Well, that radio pitchman probably talked about Jesus at other times and was just taking it for granted that his listeners know the Lord.” And that may be true. But do we want to take it for granted that people know Jesus? Do we want to take it for granted that people will overlook or correct our bad theology when we sacrifice truth for a good soundbite? Let's take the time to proclaim truth instead! Let's proclaim a powerful God who invites us to partner with Him! Let's talk about obedience to God and the Great Commission rather than laying a burden of guilt on those who are unable to give.

I implore you in the name of Christ, whether your circle of influence is a few friends or millions of people who follow you via the media, preach a powerful God who has brought salvation to the world and is still continuing to save people today and will save people in the future. He is not dependant upon our financial gifts nor our eloquent preaching nor our fine-tuned organizations and programs. He is above all that and it is our great privilege to serve Him and even partner with Him in His efforts to win the world to Himself.

So serve Him with joy and gratitude in your heart, and invite others to do the same. Don't take on burdens that aren't yours but belong squarely upon the shoulders of the Almighty. And for God's sake, and for the sake of others, don't lay a burden of guilt upon people as you try to build your ministry or church or transmitter or whatever it is you are trying to do for God.

We serve and awesome and powerful God. Do everything by the grace and strength that He provides, giving Him all the glory for everything He does in you and through you.

Let's Pray Together: Father, I know that you are a powerful God whose ways and means are far above my own. Forgive me for those times when I have taken on more than you asked me to or gotten out in front of you and caused hurt or misunderstandings with others. Help me to rely on you and the strength and resources you provide rather than my own abilities and finances. I want to live for your glory, giving you all the credit for everything good in me. I give you praise for everything you are doing in my life and ask for your strength, provision, and help for the situations I bring before you now...(continue praying as you feel led)

This devotional is authored and published by Randy Brockett. All publishing rights are reserved but readers are encouraged to share his insights with their family, friends, and congregations. For other devotionals by Randy, see www.blesseddisciples.com, dwellinchrist.blogspot.com, and www.discoverbiblicalchurch.com.