16TH MARCH
John 4:40-42
“So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.’”
Your testimony is not enough—people must encounter Jesus themselves for their faith to become complete!
These Samaritans began to believe through the woman’s testimony of her encounter with Jesus. Their hearts were opened to him because of what she said. But notice the difference in their faith once they have encountered Jesus for themselves. They say, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world.” Their faith developed from “we believe” to “we know”!
As people encounter you and other real Christians, they will notice that Christian relationships are very different from secular relationships. This, plus your testimony about how Jesus changes your reactions to the life circumstances they know you are facing, will open their hearts to Jesus. This is the beginning of faith!
But you must pray for them and ask God to reveal himself to them. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. It’s when they recognise that God himself is reaching out to them, offering them love, grace, forgiveness, truth, that they will be ready to really trust in Jesus.
MAKE IT PERSONAL:
Who can you invite to your home for a barbeque, so that your unsaved friends can meet those Christian friends of yours who truly follow Jesus? Make a note of their names and possible dates and act on it!