Pat
Well-Known Member
Reminders – Are you tending God’s Garden?
Have you ever prayed for someone’s salvation? Have you considered the timing of events and number of people involved for God to answer that prayer? The scripture is clear that we have no power to save anyone and that no one can come to God unless the Father draw them. John 6:44 This drawing, in part, is a spiritual act of God which imparts the desire within a man’s heart to know the only creator God. Once that is responded to, God sees to it that they receive knowledge of the Gospel. That knowledge includes an awareness of their sinful position in Adam and belief in the only solution for their sin and sins. God provided that one and only solution, which is that Jesus died as full payment for their sins, He was buried, then rose from the dead to give eternal life to whomsoever believes it. How does one hear this good news? God has chosen to reveal the Gospel through the witnessing and preaching of ordinary Christians such as you and me, who are walking by faith.
Most people don’t get saved through the preaching of a “professional,” such as Billy Graham. Most Christians give a testimony of having heard the Gospel over time from several, if not many people. They heard from friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and sometimes even strangers. Paul laid it out clearly in 1 Corinthians 3:5-6, “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” He is saying that someone plants the seed of the Gospel, then others come along and water that seed, reiterating or enforcing the message, and finally God causes that seed to produce the fruit of salvation when the Gospel is believed. Have you considered that God wants to use you to be a planter, or a waterer, or a harvester? Could you be the person God uses to answer someone else’s prayer of salvation for a friend or relative? He chooses to use us, as imperfect vessels, to reveal the power of His salvation. 2 Corinthians 4:7
Final Thoughts: I’m constantly looking for and anticipating the opportunity to share the Gospel with someone. Two delivery fellows were at my house this week with a new stove, and in the course of our conversation I was asked what my favorite hobby was now that I’m retired. Immediately, I recognized this as a divine opportunity, so I shared with them that my favorite hobby was studying the Bible. This then led to a discussion about Jesus and ended with me sharing the Gospel with them. When their job was finished, they left with a simple Gospel tract and my encouragement to seek the truth. As I watched them drive away, it made me wonder who has been praying for them and who else God has used in their lives to plant and water the seed of the Gospel. Now it’s my turn to pray for Gus and Kevin’s salvation. Please join me in tending God’s Garden.
