“One of God’s major instruments to shape a life is another life.” Jonathan Murphy
Maybe this will be a reminder… maybe an encouragement… maybe both? For me, it is both.
Before I get there, let me ask you a question…
“Why did Christianity in the first few centuries spread at such a tremendous pace despite the MANY obstacles?”
In the 1st century, following Jesus, well, it could cost you your life. They were killing Christians for sport in the Colosseum, but as time went on Christianity continued to spread throughout the Roman Empire. In 313 AD, Emperor Constantine's Edict of Milan legalized Christianity, and by the end of the 4th century, Emperor Theodosius I declared the Christianity the ‘official’ faith of the Roman Empire.
There’s more to say on all of this, but for the sake of this devotional thought, I just wanted to invite you to consider the question of ‘Why?’
Why did the faith of a few spread so rapidly throughout the Roman Empire and even into Persia (modern-day Iran), and parts of Arabia, and Ethiopia? Clearly there are many ways to answer this, but for the sake of brevity and simplicity, let me just say this…
THE GREAT COMMISION WAS EVERYONE’S MISSION
When Jesus told His followers to go change the world (see Matthew 28), not only did they ALL take that to heart, but they ALL saw that as their personal responsibility.
Yes, the Apostles provided leadership, teaching and guidance, but the mission of Jesus was not just for those in leadership but for anyone and everyone who identified as a follower of Jesus.
Now… for the reminder… or encouragement… or both?
GOD WANTS TO USE YOU TO INFLUENCE THOSE AROUND YOU TO SEE AND KNOW AND UNDERSTAND GOD’S GREAT LOVE.
In your home.
In your neighborhood.
In your place of work.
In your place of study.
In your place of worship.
God wants to use you exactly where you are to influence those around you to help them see Jesus. In the 1st century and in the 21st century (and in every century in-between), God has been using His children to grow His Family.
Again… this might be reminder… or encouragement… hopefully both. Either way, I felt compelled to share with you today that God’s plan of using people to reach people has not changed. And to be super clear, not just some people, but ALL people.
Grateful to be part of a community that hungers to see God do what God has been doing for centuries… using people to reach people.
