Archive for February, 2014
Let Hope In
There is an oft told adage that goes something like: “A person can live seven days without water, three minutes without oxygen, but not a second without hope.” The science may or may not be accurate, but the sentiment is clear enough. Hope is essential to living. When a person gives up hope, giving up life is not far behind. Hope and life are inextricably linked in our minds.
In our latest Bible Studies for Life unit, Let Hope In, Pete Wilson looks at the idea of hope in the context of past failures. If I fail, is my usefulness over? Can I move forward, or will the shame of past sins ever be with me? Pete writes, “We can have a sure hope regardless of our past. When we let hope in, we can move beyond the regrets and shame. A hope-filled life is not a problem-free life. But we are no longer bound or hindered by the past.”1
One of the most moving stories of hope in the Bible concerns a young man, Mephibosheth. His grandfather, Saul, formerly a king of Israel, had been removed by God for disobedience. His father, Jonathan, was killed in battle. God had chosen David to be king, and he had once been threatened with death by Saul.
During this era, it was common for a new ruler to put to death all male descendants of the old king. David and Jonathan, however, were very close friends. David had made a pact with Jonathan not to harm his descendants. Not only did David not seek to harm them, he specifically looked for descendants of Saul to bless because of Jonathan.2
“So the king asked, ‘Is there anyone left of Saul’s family that I can show the kindness of God to?’ [The servant] said to the king, ‘There is still Jonathan’s son who was injured in both feet.’…Mephibosheth son of Jonathan son of Saul came to David, bowed down to the ground and paid homage. David said, ‘Mephibosheth!”
‘I am your servant,’ he replied.
‘Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘since I intend to show you kindness because of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul’s fields, and you will always eat meals at my table.’”3
What grace to one whose hope was gone! Many authors have noted the correlation between this story and salvation. A king, Jesus, who owes us nothing, seeks enemies to bless and makes us His children. “Embrace this hope: if we have received Jesus, God has given us the right to become His children (John 1:12). If we have become children of God, we no longer have to hide from him. We can come without fear to God’s throne with our lame condition since God has accepted us because of Christ’s worth.”4
Before Christ, we were like Mephibosheth – broken, and in need of hope. Those of us who have found hope in Christ must reach out to others who are without hope. We must not only let hope in, we must reach out to others and show them the hope we have in Christ.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
General Editor, Bible Studies for Life
1– Bible Studies for Life, Let Hope In, by Pete Wilson
2– 2 Samuel 9:1
3– 2 Samuel 9:3, 6-7
4– Bible Studies for Life, Let Hope In, by Pete Wilson
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
How God Wants to Use You to Reach the World for Jesus Christ
When we are new in the faith, we believe God wants to use us to reach the world for Jesus Christ. It seems that for most Christ-followers, this belief wavers rather than intensifies the longer we know Christ. Personally, I believe this belief, that God wants to use me to reach the world for Christ, must intensify daily.
The Big Question
The big question we have to answer is: What is my part in God’s plan to reach the world for Jesus Christ? This question must be answered by each born-again Christian, whether in private business or corporate America, politics or education, a missionary or pastor. God has a big plan; therefore, we need to find our place in God’s grand plan of redeeming the world.
Have you ever considered what your part is in reaching the world for Jesus Christ? Take some time to think and pray about it. You have many gifts, and God has a plan for you to use those gifts – to bring Him glory and reach the world for Jesus Christ.
Why We Must Answer This Question
Because of the following three realities, we must answer this question, “What is my part in God’s plan to reach the world for Jesus Christ?”
- Spiritual Reality: Of the world’s population of 7 billion people, over 3.9 billion have little to no access to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must do all we can with all we have to give these dear people a chance to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Our generation can complete the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.
- Biblical Reality: Every person in this world is sinful and in need of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Since there is a heaven and a hell, people die and enter into one of those two eternities. Therefore, if we do not take the gospel message to people around the world, they will die without Christ. We must do what we can with what we have to accelerate the message of the gospel to every person in the world.
- Personal Reality: Each of us must ask ourselves, “What will I give my life to?” Either I will use my gifts, talents, calling, and resources to gospel advancement and eternal value, or will I use all of it for myself and my gain. Which one? Therefore, it really comes back to each one of us discovering our part in God’s plan to reach the world for Christ.
Be Encouraged
Be encouraged that our generation can be a part of completing the Great Commission by taking the gospel to every nation, tribe, people, and language. God is going to complete this task, and I believe we need to do all we can to discover our part in fulfilling His plan.
Whatever your part is in reaching the world for Jesus Christ, surrender to it today.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.