Very few of us have any understanding of the reason why Jesus Christ died. If sympathy is all that human beings need, then the Cross of Christ is an absurdity and there is absolutely no need for it. What the world needs is not “a little bit of love,” but major surgery.

When you find yourself face to face with a person who is spiritually lost, remind yourself of Jesus Christ on the cross. If that person can get to God in any other way, then the Cross of Christ is unnecessary. If you think you are helping lost people with your sympathy and understanding, you are a traitor to Jesus Christ. You must have a right-standing relationship with Him yourself, and pour your life out in helping others in His way— not in a human way that ignores God. The theme of the world’s religion today is to serve in a pleasant, non-confrontational manner.

But our only priority must be to present Jesus Christ crucified— to lift Him up all the time (see 1 Corinthians 2:2). Every belief that is not firmly rooted in the Cross of Christ will lead people astray. If the worker himself believes in Jesus Christ and is trusting in the reality of redemption, his words will be compelling to others. What is extremely important is for the worker’s simple relationship with Jesus Christ to be strong and growing. His usefulness to God depends on that, and that alone.

The calling of a New Testament worker is to expose sin and to reveal Jesus Christ as Savior. Consequently, he cannot always be charming and friendly, but must be willing to be stern to accomplish major surgery. We are sent by God to lift up Jesus Christ, not to give wonderfully beautiful speeches. We must be willing to examine others as deeply as God has examined us. We must also be sharply intent on sensing those Scripture passages that will drive the truth home, and then not be afraid to apply them.

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December 20, 2010

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Yesterday during a session of prayer for and about our 11:00 AM Sunday service..(as a congregation we were invited and encouraged to stay after the service and pray about the future of the 11:00 o’clock service because the praise team was losing some key members to a transfer) I felt led by the Holy Spirit to thank God for the disruption and change that caused us to come together as a congregation and look to God for answers.

And God says… “All things work for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose…..Whatever occurs that drives you to Me is good. Often it is necessary for your comfort zones to be stretched, and the status quo to be turned upside down for you to seek me. Often daily activities become habit forming so that you become less dependent on Me. You become unconsciously competent in your activities and lose an intense need to reach out to Me. Change can and does often correct that malady.”