Word@Work 004 - Mark 1:8-10
Published: Thu, 11/15/07
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 1:8-10 "I baptise you with water, but he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit." At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. (NIV)
It is worth remembering that we cannot do everything. The perfectionist or obsessive worker may be an asset to the business, but can be a menace in the Kingdom of God.
That is not to say that Christians are supposed to be inert in their witness (there is already a surfeit of such types) but that however much we run up and down the pitch passing the ball, we can never personally score the winning goal - that privilege is reserved for the Holy Spirit.
We may, and must, be clean in our living and vigorous in our witness; but we can never put the life of God into anyone. It is important that we serve God at work and develop conversations with those seeking release from their wasted years, but only Jesus can flood their lives with His life.
This is not to underestimate our role, but rather to define it. If even Jesus needed to be flooded with the Holy Spirit, then so do we and our friends too. Yes, we certainly need to explain and persuade that Jesus wants to be welcomed by repentant sinners as their Master (and if we are nervous here, may the Lord give us courage), but the end point of the gospel is between the sinner and the Saviour. The rest is up to God, as repentant people are born again by His Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, please overwhelm me afresh with Your Holy Spirit so that I may be full of You. May I have the courage to do what only I can do, and have the wisdom to pass everything else to You. In Your Precious Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
It is worth remembering that we cannot do everything. The perfectionist or obsessive worker may be an asset to the business, but can be a menace in the Kingdom of God.
That is not to say that Christians are supposed to be inert in their witness (there is already a surfeit of such types) but that however much we run up and down the pitch passing the ball, we can never personally score the winning goal - that privilege is reserved for the Holy Spirit.
We may, and must, be clean in our living and vigorous in our witness; but we can never put the life of God into anyone. It is important that we serve God at work and develop conversations with those seeking release from their wasted years, but only Jesus can flood their lives with His life.
This is not to underestimate our role, but rather to define it. If even Jesus needed to be flooded with the Holy Spirit, then so do we and our friends too. Yes, we certainly need to explain and persuade that Jesus wants to be welcomed by repentant sinners as their Master (and if we are nervous here, may the Lord give us courage), but the end point of the gospel is between the sinner and the Saviour. The rest is up to God, as repentant people are born again by His Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, please overwhelm me afresh with Your Holy Spirit so that I may be full of You. May I have the courage to do what only I can do, and have the wisdom to pass everything else to You. In Your Precious Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
W@W004 | Word@Work 2002, 2007 © Dr Paul Adams | Provided by BeaconLight
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