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'Christ in You...'
by Dale Krebbs
Last week we discussed Jesus' command through John to be lights to the world. This light is the light of the Holy Spirit changing a Christian from the inside out. He begins to creat deep inside,, that creates a persona that becomes a witness without speaking.
They are His witnesses through their demeanor, warmth, and inner peace, and love that eventually will be seen by those being called. This is love mostly unspoken, but materializes in the actions and responses which are illustrated in Paul in 1 Corinthians 13. It was mentioned last week that, if the internal light of Jesus Christ is shining in a believer, there will ultimately be the time and place - chosen by the Holy Spirit - to speak and/or act with a dialogue or relationship with others, that enables the witness to progress intoa verbal and/or action setting. The time for speaking and acting will be arranged by the Holy Spirit guideing the Christian who is submissive to His guidance and prompting.
These leadings by the Holy Spirit are usually very subtle. The one who is being led by the Spirit may have no sense or knowledge of what the Spirit is, and especially how is doing it. If the Christian is surrendered to Christ, the witness will be set for him or her to witness in the situation that is set by the Spirit. Often, the light in them is working silently for their inner light to produce the right time, give them the right words, and possibly corresponding actions. These are part of the good deeds mentioned in Ephesians 2:10:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." These works are the result of the process that begins with the Holy Spirit's work within the believer that began with only light that others can sense.
This then can lead to words, and "good works" (deeds). The pattern may vary depending upon personalities - which the Holy Spirit knows and works within. The whole process is a divine appointment. A "meeting" arranged by the Holy Spirit. This appointment can result in the callling and choosing of another for salvation. The appointment the Holy Spirit has arranged may or may not result in that person or persons believing upto eternal life.
But Jesus said we are His "witnesses". If mine and your witnessing results in even one person gaining eternal life, they - and we - will rejoice together forever. What an amazing drama is orchestrated by Jesus Christ, for the witness of a believe another to believe and gain eternal life. It all began with the silence of light. Be ready for the time when God may use the sounds that your light has produced to save another.
Whatever the Holy Spirit leads you now to say or do, pray, pray, and pray some more for the ones you witnessing to. Also, keep in mind that God has His own timetable that He may not share with you. So do not set times, be discouraged, or disheartened. Keep something in reserve, and realize that the ones you are witnessing to may never respond; or their belief may be delayed for a time and place not anticipated by them or you. Do not attempt to force in some way a decision from anyone. God has His own timetable. We must work and witness within it.
Jesus commanded that we must let our light not become darkness, but that the light of His love should shine forth to the witnessing and hopefully the saving of others. If you belong to Jesus Christ, you need to continue your light bearing. Don't let your lamp die out. Keep it filled with oil of the Holy Spirit.
There is a saying that has much truth in it: "He that is convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still".
There is a time to let go and let God. But keep on praying!
As a childhood melody goes, "Let my little light shine"!
May your light shine - always.
"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut." - Matthew 25:1-10
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