Live in God's WillSample

                                        Part Two: What’s God’s Will for Us to Do?

DAY 7: Live in God’s will by taking a step of faith toward others today. 

If we are faithful followers of Jesus, we do what He asks us to do. Many people claim to believe in Jesus but have no desire to enter into His work. This should have us evaluate if we genuinely are Christ-followers or if we just claim to be. One of the most eye-opening statements regarding true believers is found in James 2:18-20, which says, “But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!  Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?”

It is foolish for us to think we can just believe and not engage in what God asks us to do. Being in God’s will is to do the work He’s called us to do. This is not to earn our salvation, but to show our faith to others. God is asking us to work in His vineyard. The vineyard represents the people around us. He says that the fields are ripe for harvest. Here is the reality: we can’t just say, “Yes, I am willing,” and then not step out in faith to engage with the people around us. We cannot only have lip service that we will eventually obey. We must move forward in faith, and live it out. 

 Pursuing others to engage in spiritual conversations may feel scary. It’s risky. It’s intimidating. It’s uncertain. Being sent and engaging spiritually with others can cause us to feel fearful and anxious. But that is not God’s will for us as sent ones. Jesus commissions us to be sent ones and to go out in peace, not fear or anxiety. We have this peace when we have complete security that Jesus loves us. We know He is with us and guides us. There is something about knowing we are obeying God that gives us a deep, internal peace. It is then that we can risk and engage with others, not fearing their response. 

Being a sent one means we keep our eyes open to the people around us and ask God to show us who to engage with. We might be the only believer they know with whom they can learn about Jesus. We don’t need to preach at them, but we should be prayerful and intentional to engage with them in spiritual things. Today, let’s not just say “yes” to being willing to engage with others, but let’s take a step of faith toward that end.

· What fears or hesitancies do you have in engaging with others about the gospel?  How can you battle those fears with the truth? 

· What is your first step of obedience to display your faith in Christ? 

PRAYER:

Lord, I want to live by faith. I want to trust You that where You call me to go, You will be with me. That when You ask me to engage with someone, You will give me the courage and the words. Please help me to live by faith and not by fear. Help me to be so secure in Your love that I am willing to risk and engage with others so that they, too, can experience Your love and grace. Amen.