DIVINE RESULTS

In Athens, the apostle Paul called on his listeners to repent of their sins and turn to God. And then what happened? “Some laughed in contempt, but others said, ‘We want to hear more about this later.’ That ended Paul’s discussion with them, but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them” (Acts 17:32-33).

Paul could not have known which of his listeners would believe and which would not. He had no control over that, and he knew it. Paul trusted in God’s sovereignty for results.

When you’re lit up with love, you know that only God saves. You reach out to others in love and confidence, recognizing that the results are up to Him.

This is an incredibly freeing reality: As we join Jesus on his mission to reach lost people, he is the only one who saves. God allows us to participate in the process, but we are never responsible for the results. We don’t have to use manipulation or gimmicks to save people.

As Jesus illustrated in a parable, a farmer doesn’t just show up and reap a harvest. She knows there’s a process: preparing the soil, sowing seeds into it, and cultivating the soil so the seeds can flourish. Only after the Lord of creation brings life to the ground is there a harvest (Mark 4:1-20).

Paul would tell one group of believers, “I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).

It’s God’s job to save. It’s our job to love people and cast gospel seeds into souls.

Missional principle #7: Trust in God for the results of your everyday evangelism.

If this reading plan encouraged you to share your faith, you'll want to learn more about the missional movement called Lit Up with Love!