The Christian worker has to be a sacred “go-between.” He must be so closely identified with his Lord and the reality of His redemption that Christ can continually bring His creating life through him. I am not referring to the strength of one individual’s personality being superimposed on another, but the real presence of Christ coming through every aspect of the worker’s life. When we preach the historical facts of the life and death of our Lord as they are conveyed in the New Testament, our words are made sacred. God uses these words, on the basis of His redemption, to create something in those who listen which otherwise could never have been created.

If we simply preach the effects of redemption in the human life instead of the revealed, divine truth regarding Jesus Himself, the result is not new birth in those who listen. The result is a refined religious lifestyle, and the Spirit of God cannot witness to it because such preaching is in a realm other than His. We must make sure that we are living in such harmony with God that as we proclaim His truth He can create in others those things which He alone can do.

When we say, “What a wonderful personality, what a fascinating person, and what wonderful insight!” then what opportunity does the gospel of God have through all of that? It cannot get through, because the attraction is to the messenger and not the message. If a person attracts through his personality, that becomes his appeal. If, however, he is identified with the Lord Himself, then the appeal becomes what Jesus Christ can do. The danger is to glory in men, yet Jesus says we are to lift up only Him (see John 12:32).

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November 9 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Good morning God and thank you for bringing David and I back together for almost 1000 mornings over the past five years. It is clear that You have been leading us, because the teaching and guiding has been constant and specific for both of us. For some I am sure the recurring lessons in surrender, connection, curiosity and obedience seem redundant and almost pedantic. But for us these lessons seem fresh every day, like the daily manna for which we named our study. Here Chambers reminds us that human traits such as a great personality and dynamic speaking ability are not the keys for sharing Jesus. Fascinating people, he says, do not necessarily equate to a good missionary, disciple or teacher.

And God says…” I can and will use any and all kinds of people and circumstances to communicate the love I have for you. The cross was known as a symbol of terror and torture, and I used the cross to communicate My love, grace and mercy. I can and will use humans that are surrendered and connected with Me. I will use people that are sinful, vain, self-centered, selfish, and proud. You see that is all I have to work with; flawed humans. Take a look at Adam, Moses, Noah, Abraham, Samson, David, Solomon, Peter, Paul and every other disciple of memory. Your perfection is not a requirement; in fact it is not even a consideration. Your surrender is a requirement, from which our connection and your curiosity and obedience are made possible. And I love you so much I make all things work for your good so that you may reach surrender, connection, curiosity and obedience as a matter of day to day living.