The Holy Spirit in Witness: Part 2
Memory Passage
The Spirit himself testifies with our
spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children then we are heirs-
heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in
order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:16-17
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast.
Insights
"God is sovereign in salvation. Two facts show this. In the first place, you give
God thanks for your conversion. Now why do you do that? Because you know in
your heart that God was entirely responsible for it. You did not save yourself; He
saved you. Your thanksgiving is itself an acknowledgement that your
conversion was not your own work, but His work...A second way is through your
prayers for the salvation of others. When you pray for unconverted people, you
do so on the assumption that it is in God's power to bring them to faith."
-J. I Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God
Consider this!
There is comfort in the awareness that salvation is of God through faith and
even that is a gift of God. We are to be ambassadors for Christ, living
witnesses of the power of God unto salvation. As we live within the gratitude of
God's work in our own lives, it enables us to more freely share our faith with
those around us. We then become compelled to communicate to others the
great salvation in Christ that we have, leaving the results of that message up
to God.
Personal Reflection
- Do you live in gratitude of your salvation? Write a prayer of your gratitude to
God.
- It is possible to grow weary of praying for others to come to Christ. Is there
anyone that you feel drawn to pray for again on a regular basis?
- Acknowledge that you need God to bring to your remembrance these people,
and ask Him to give you the strength to pray. Then rest in the work of the Holy
Spirit to bring about change.
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