10TH OCTOBER
2 Corinthians 6:1-3
“Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favourable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.”
Put no obstacle in anyone’s way!
What obstacles are in the way of those you know who are on a journey towards God?
- Do you act differently around them when you’re with your Christian friends or would they say your love for them is authentic?
- Do they feel they have to dress or act a certain way to come to church, or do they feel comfortable to come as they are?
- Is prayer foreign and confusing to them or have they experienced you praying for them and understand prayer to be just like a child talking to his/her father?
- Do they see the Christian faith as a series of rituals based on rules or have you helped them see your faith in Jesus as an expression of a genuine relationship with God?
- Do they feel judged by you and “preached” at or do you take time to interact and answer their questions?
God is reminding you today to put no obstacle in the way of those who are searching for him. We are to remove all obstacles, religious rituals and man-made expectations, and present Jesus Christ as the bridge to help people get from where they are, separated from God, to where they need to be, in a relationship with him.
MAKE IT PERSONAL:
What obstacles do you feel you have mistakenly put in the way of someone coming to experience a real relationship with God? Spend some time with God now and ask him to show you. Write them down somewhere and next to them record how you can intentionally remove those obstacles.