Christian Daily Word (3)
Daily Word for Christians...Here's the scripture to meditate on!
John 4:35 (NLT)
"You know the saying, 'Four months between planting and harvest.' But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest."
Analysis of the Daily Word
Did Jesus say that the fields were ripe for harvest because he expected most people to follow him? Nope, not at all. The Scriptures had foretold that relatively few would put their faith in him. (John 12:37, and 38). Jesus had the power to read hearts, yet, he enthusiastically preached to everyone, but focused on the few who believed in him. (Matthew 9:4) In our case, since we cannot read hearts, let us fight against the tendency to judge a person or the territory. Rather, let us see people as future disciples. Let us remember what Jesus said to his disciples. The fields are white, which is ready for harvest. People can change and become disciples of Christ. To God, they are "valuable things". (Haggai 2:7) If we see them as God and as Jesus, we will try to understand their circumstances and what interests them. We will not see them as mere strangers but as our future brothers and sisters.
Like Paul, we strive to be observant. Let us be attentive to details that indicate what the people of our neighborhoods, community, or whom we come across believe. What topics could we talk about with a religious person? Let's try to find common ground. Perhaps, the person worships one God, acknowledges that Jesus is the Savior of mankind, or believes that the evil we see today will soon end. Let us use the opportunity to start a conversation with the beliefs we have in common to present the message of the Bible in an attractive way.
Keep in mind that the person may not believe everything that their religion teaches. So once we know what religion they belong to, we can try to find out what they truly believe. A brother from Australia named David says this: "Today, many mixes their religion with philosophical ideas." A sister from Albania named Geneva expressed this statement: "Sometimes we talk to people who say they have their religion, but then they admit that they don't believe in God or really follow the teachings of their faith." A missionary from Argentina explained that some he has come across claimed to believe in the Trinity, but do not really believe that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one God. He adds: "Knowing this makes it much easier for you to find common ground with the person."
Let us try to find out what people really believe. As the apostle Paul made the point, we will become "all things to all kinds of people." (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
John 4:35 (NLT)
"You know the saying, 'Four months between planting and harvest.' But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest."
Analysis of the Daily Word
Did Jesus say that the fields were ripe for harvest because he expected most people to follow him? Nope, not at all. The Scriptures had foretold that relatively few would put their faith in him. (John 12:37, and 38). Jesus had the power to read hearts, yet, he enthusiastically preached to everyone, but focused on the few who believed in him. (Matthew 9:4) In our case, since we cannot read hearts, let us fight against the tendency to judge a person or the territory. Rather, let us see people as future disciples. Let us remember what Jesus said to his disciples. The fields are white, which is ready for harvest. People can change and become disciples of Christ. To God, they are "valuable things". (Haggai 2:7) If we see them as God and as Jesus, we will try to understand their circumstances and what interests them. We will not see them as mere strangers but as our future brothers and sisters.
Like Paul, we strive to be observant. Let us be attentive to details that indicate what the people of our neighborhoods, community, or whom we come across believe. What topics could we talk about with a religious person? Let's try to find common ground. Perhaps, the person worships one God, acknowledges that Jesus is the Savior of mankind, or believes that the evil we see today will soon end. Let us use the opportunity to start a conversation with the beliefs we have in common to present the message of the Bible in an attractive way.
Keep in mind that the person may not believe everything that their religion teaches. So once we know what religion they belong to, we can try to find out what they truly believe. A brother from Australia named David says this: "Today, many mixes their religion with philosophical ideas." A sister from Albania named Geneva expressed this statement: "Sometimes we talk to people who say they have their religion, but then they admit that they don't believe in God or really follow the teachings of their faith." A missionary from Argentina explained that some he has come across claimed to believe in the Trinity, but do not really believe that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one God. He adds: "Knowing this makes it much easier for you to find common ground with the person."
Let us try to find out what people really believe. As the apostle Paul made the point, we will become "all things to all kinds of people." (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
26-30, M
