THE BEAUTIFUL SINNER

03/12/2023

"Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times more at the proper time— and in the age to come, eternal life"  (Luke 18"29-30).

It's impossible to journey alongside the Holy Ghost and not see sinners as beautiful. T.L Osborn once made a striking statement during a conference many years ago, as he reviewed the spiritual condition of China. He was concerned about the millions of people in that nation at the time who didn’t know Jesus. As he ministered, it got to a point his voice broke, and addressing the young people in the congregation, he said, “Young people, may God make China beautiful to you.” Truth be told,  until God makes the sinners beautiful to you, and you see their true value, you may never be able to reach them with the love of Christ.

The early apostles saw this beauty in every sinner.They sacrificed their reputations and personal businesses to see these souls saved. Paul, the apostle, in particular, got in trouble on countless occasions for preaching the gospel. However, with each trial, he was emboldened to preach the gospel all the more. In Acts 21, when the people raised a concern about a prophecy that revealed the impending danger that awaited him in Jerusalem, his response was, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13). Now, it takes a person who has lost touch with this material world to speak in such a manner. Peter was the same way. At one time, he said to Jesus, "We have left everything to follow You!…" (Matthew 19:27). Nothing else mattered to these men. Acts 5:41 records that when the apostles left the Sanhedrin, they rejoiced because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for Jesus' name. 

Today, my question is this: What do you see when you encounter a sinner? What level of "self" have you laid down to see the agenda of God advance? How much of your reputation and pride have you buried to see that that colleague, friend, or family member who is not saved encounters Jesus Christ? Are you willing to lay aside your agenda for God's? He is calling you today to soul-winning.

God is calling for radical soul winners that will say, "If I perish, I perish, but I must tell someone about Jesus." The Father is seeking after those that will not hesitate to leap on the water to walk with Jesus.  Phillip heard the Holy Ghost say, "Go and join yourself to this chariot" (Acts 8:29), and Philip leaped at the opportunity. In like manner, you will hear Him call you to minister to those around you. When He does, leap and see God use you to bring salvation to others.

Faith-Filled Confession:

I am a conveyor of good news. I will share the saving grace of Jesus Christ with those around me because I recognize that it is the power of God to everyone who believes. And as I do this, many will be saved in Jesus' name. Amen

ONE YEAR READING PLAN: Deuteronomy 14-16; Mark 13:14-37