Simpson Street
I enjoyed a pleasant, warm reception at Simpson Street last night. I am always encouraged and blessed when I find people who are concerned about mission.
Part of what I had to say last night played out in my study just a few minutes ago. Being a witness for Jesus means, in part, that our job is not beating people about sin. Instead our role is to tell the truth about God at work in our world.
He actually showed up yesterday and his question was rather simple. "I've really screwed up; is there hope for me?" I asked him to tell me his story and he did. I told him that God loved him as much as he loved anyone and that nothing he could say or do would change that.
I said, "The trouble isn't whether God loves you; the trouble is whether you are ready to love Him." I asked him if he knew what the word "repent" meant; he did. And he did.
Today, we prayed together a prayer of repentance, we tore up his list of sins are struggles, and this young man walked out of my study this afternoon about 6 inches taller than when I saw him yesterday.
Now I'm not naive; nor is this young brother. He knows that he has "work to do." But he now engages the work that lays ahead of him with hope and confidence.
This is the power of the gospel; this is the work of God's kingdom.
Carson Reed
2 Comments
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (2)