“A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.” (Acts 17:34 NIV84)
The reason I stop at this verse is because I simply want to remind us all, even myself, that whether someone believes or doesn’t believe is not our issue as long as we are living out our lives and are witnesses of what Jesus has done in our lives. Paul, although he prepared well for his presentation before the Areopagus, wasn’t the one responsible for the people mentioned in our text coming to faith. It wasn’t because Paul was persuasive or because he said just the right words. It was simply that he was willing to be an instrument for the Holy Spirit to work through. Whether someone comes to faith or not is an issue between God and the person we are sharing with. Again, we’ve done our duty if we have offered ourselves into the hands of God to be used by Him.
Looking at it from this perspective helps me to reduce the pressure I put on myself. There is no minimum number of classes one has to take before sharing the message of Jesus. You don’t have to learn a certain number of memory verses to tell someone how Jesus has changed your life. All you have to do is know and believe what Jesus has done in your life. It has been my experience that if we are willing, God will bring people into our lives that He desires us to share the gospel with. And after we’ve shared, it is the Holy Spirit’s job to work in the heart of the person God has brought into our lives.
Let’s keep it simple! Know what God has done in your life and be willing to tell other people when God places them into your life.
Peace!
Pastor Tom
www,firmlyrooted.church