Who holds the power?

Have you ever heard someone say that if you refuse or neglect to share the gospel with someone that that person might go to hell because of you? This concept is something that stirs me up. Talk about giving power to us that is only reserved for God!

Why?

• Why do some believers feel the need to guilt others into sharing the gospel?
• Why do some believers feel that God is impotent without us?
• Why do some believers feel that guilt is stronger than grace?
• Why do some believers claim the power of love but never truly live by it?

I’ve got some thoughts on that, but will save it for another post. Today, I’m only going to share scriptures and some nuggets for us to ponder as we remember the true power of the cross and the Love behind that power!

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of ourselves,
it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Eph 2:8-9 

– My salvation is a gift from God, and other people’s salvation is a gift from God, not ever based on MY works.

Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground. The angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way was contrary to me. But the donkey saw me and turned aside from me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, I would surely have killed you just now, and let her live.” Num. 22:31-22

-If God could bring salvation/deliverance through the proclamation of a donkey, He can raise up someone else to preach the gospel if I do not.

But Jesus answered, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!” Luke 19:40 

– If God can raise up rocks and stones to praise Him if people fail to, how much more would He raise up someone to be faithful to proclaim His salvation if I disobey.

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Rom 8:29-30

-God’s love and character, which sacrificed His very Son to save us, would not leave someone without hope because of MY disobedience.

Behold, the LORD’S hand is not so short That it cannot save;
Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear. Is 59:1

-God, in His sovereignty, knew from before the foundation of the world if I would fail to obey in sharing the gospel with someone He was drawing and He will continue to work in their lives to achieve His purpose.

But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. Ps 115:3

-I simply cannot thwart the perfect and eternal will of God.

We love, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 

– His love is more powerful than anything I can do or not do.

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” Rom 10:14-15 

– He will call whomever He will to preach His gospel, even if I do not.

These are just some of my thoughts. We share His eternal message of hope and salvation out of a full heart of love and gratitude desiring to give praise and glory to His name. We do NOT do it out of fear and guilt.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear,
because fear involves punishment,
and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 1 John 4:18

Let us walk in joy and love and grace and not allow the enemy to rob us of that by placing guilt, shame and fear in our path…especially not with the wonderful glorious truth of the gospel.

All Scripture quotations are taken from the NASB.
Unless otherwise indicated, photos from pixaby.com