A few years ago, I sat across from a man in his early 20s. Let’s call him John. Over coffee, John shared areas of his life where he needed repentance. It was probably our third conversation like this. This time, I pressed him lovingly: “My friend, repentance isn’t theoretical. It has to be actual. Talking about your sin is important, but it’s incomplete. What are you going to do about it?” We then proceeded to form a game plan with the steps John would take, and I committed to pray for him, cheer him on, and hold him accountable to his plan.
John had grown comfortable with conviction. He was caught in a pattern of sin and shame. The good news for John (and the rest of us) is that because Jesus died, rose, ascended, and sent his Holy Spirit to dwell in the lives of every Christian, we now have the power to walk away from sin and to take steps of faith. John didn’t just need to talk about his struggles with me, he needed to change his mind and his course of action.
John isn’t the only one who’s struggled to move from conviction to action. Maybe you can relate. You want to invest in others and invite them to Jesus, but so far, you haven’t taken the first step.These past few weeks we have all been challenged to invest and invite. I wonder if you find yourself with a list of people that God has placed on your heart and in your path but no real progress. You have a desire to show and share the love of Christ but you haven’t done anything about it yet. Perhaps you have even prayed for those in your life who need Jesus but you don’t have a plan to invest in their lives or invite them to take a next step with Jesus. Let me encourage you, do something about it.
While things don’t always go according to our plans, we are still called to make plans and let the Lord establish our steps (Proverbs 16:9). Whether God calls you to uproot your life and move across the globe, or He calls you to get off the chair in your office and walk across the hall, you need a plan, a course of action. What’s your plan for investing and inviting others who need the hope of the Gospel? What will you do today? This week?
Here’s three steps I encourage you to take:
Make A Plan. Here’s some examples of what your plan could look like.
- I will text _____ right now and invite them to coffee where I will invite them to Easter and share how God has changed my life.
- At school tomorrow, I will ask _____ if she wants to read the Bible with me.
- I will text _____ right now and invite them to Easter at CrossPoint and for lunch afterwards.
- I will bring cookies to my neighbor tomorrow and include an invite card to Easter.
Continue In Prayer. Colossians 4:2 says, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Ask God to work in these individuals' lives. Pray for their physical needs but most importantly pray that God would meet their eternal need–new life in Jesus Christ!
Tell A Friend. It’s amazing what we can talk ourselves out of, and the lies that Satan will whisper to us. One of God’s greatest gifts is the church, other believers we follow Jesus with. Tell your Grow Group or a trusted Jesus-following friend what your plan is and ask them to keep you accountable. It is a privilege to share in each other’s burdens and joys.
Easter services aren’t the finish line, but they are a great opportunity for the Gospel. It wasn’t too late for John to walk in obedience and it’s not too late for you to walk in faith. Let’s step out in faith and watch God do what only He can do in drawing people to Himself. After all, God loves using ordinary people being changed by Jesus to do extraordinary things.