Many of us will become known for many things. Abraham Lincoln is known for leading the nation through a traumatic period. Bill Gates is known for Microsoft. John Wayne is known for being a famous actor. Then there are those of the Bible. Noah is known as a righteous man in an evil age. David is known as the man after God's own heart. Peter is known as the outspoken disciple. John is known as the disciple Jesus loved. Judas is known as the betrayer. Paul is known as a fearless proclaimer of the gospel. And the list goes on and on. If you think about it long enough, what would we like to be known as? I like thinking about the disciple Andrew. Do you know what he is known for? Andrew is known for bringing others to Jesus.
"He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ). John 1:41.
The first person Andrew brought to Jesus was his brother Peter. As soon as Peter joined the disciples, he became the spokesperson for the Twelve, while Andrew remained in the background. It was Peter, not Andrew, who rose to prominence as one of Jesus' inner circle of three. We do not read of Andrew resenting Peter; it seems he was satisfied to bring others to Jesus and leave the results to Him.
It is not surprising that Andrew found the boy with the loaves and fishes and brought him to Jesus. Andrew brought Greeks to Jesus, even though they were despised by pious Jews. There is no record of Andrew ever preaching a sermon, performing a miracle, or writing a book of Scripture. He is remembered for those whom he brought to Jesus.
I believe that Andrew is a good role model for us today. Many of us go around on doctrinal wars, trying to convince others that our teachings are right, our church is the best one, others beliefs are false, etc., etc. Then there are those of us that go around condemning and convicting the actions of others. Friends, our job is not to transform people into Christians nor is it to convict them of their sin. It is not our responsibility to make people do what they ought to do. I am not against standing up for righteousness and holiness, but what is our primary task? Our task is to bring them to Jesus. We need to let our King perform His divine work in their lives. It is only Jesus that can bring about change in the lives of others. But, how do we expect others to experience change if we never introduce them to the Lord who Saves? Remember, someone introduced all of us to Him at some point in our lives. Today if there is someone you are trying to change, have you introduced Jesus to them first, or have you jumped right to condemning their lifestyle?
May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!
"He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ). John 1:41.
The first person Andrew brought to Jesus was his brother Peter. As soon as Peter joined the disciples, he became the spokesperson for the Twelve, while Andrew remained in the background. It was Peter, not Andrew, who rose to prominence as one of Jesus' inner circle of three. We do not read of Andrew resenting Peter; it seems he was satisfied to bring others to Jesus and leave the results to Him.
It is not surprising that Andrew found the boy with the loaves and fishes and brought him to Jesus. Andrew brought Greeks to Jesus, even though they were despised by pious Jews. There is no record of Andrew ever preaching a sermon, performing a miracle, or writing a book of Scripture. He is remembered for those whom he brought to Jesus.
I believe that Andrew is a good role model for us today. Many of us go around on doctrinal wars, trying to convince others that our teachings are right, our church is the best one, others beliefs are false, etc., etc. Then there are those of us that go around condemning and convicting the actions of others. Friends, our job is not to transform people into Christians nor is it to convict them of their sin. It is not our responsibility to make people do what they ought to do. I am not against standing up for righteousness and holiness, but what is our primary task? Our task is to bring them to Jesus. We need to let our King perform His divine work in their lives. It is only Jesus that can bring about change in the lives of others. But, how do we expect others to experience change if we never introduce them to the Lord who Saves? Remember, someone introduced all of us to Him at some point in our lives. Today if there is someone you are trying to change, have you introduced Jesus to them first, or have you jumped right to condemning their lifestyle?
May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!
Comments
Post a Comment