Peter stated it very clear: “Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one [Jesus].” (Acts 4:12, MSG) When we have come to know the saving knowledge of Jesus and when we believe it by grace we have been set free. But what do we do with this knowledge, this joy, this freedom? How big is our heart?

We are called to accept Jesus as our personal Savior. But just like Peter we are commissioned to move beyond ourselves, to bear witness that Jesus is alive and God is at work among us. Peter testifies: “And we saw it, saw it all, everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem where they killed him, hung him from a cross. But in three days God had him up, alive, and out where he could be seen. Not everyone saw him—he wasn’t put on public display. Witnesses had been carefully handpicked by God beforehand—us! We were the ones, there to eat and drink with him after he came back from the dead. He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead. But we’re not alone in this. Our witness that he is the means to forgiveness of sins is backed up by the witness of all the prophets.” (Acts 10: 29-34, MSG)

How big is your heart?  Do you keep the good news for yourself? Or for your group of friends? Christ died for everyone in the world. Even for the group of people you don’t personally like and especially for the person you wish not to see ever again. God does not play favorites. The message of God’s love and saving grace is not supposed to stay with us or within our small group. As Christians we are to take seriously God’s call to go and make disciples. All of us are not meant to go overseas but nonetheless we are called to action. It comes down to this question: Who is the Lord of your life? You or God?

Here’s an inspiring video (from Brian Mosley at RightNow.org) of what it is to be living out out faith and responding to God’s calling in everyday life. Watch and be inspired!

 

Gracious God,
You are the living God!
Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah!
The Holy Spirit is you with us!
We believe in you!
Save us by your amazing grace!
Show us how to live out our faith!
Use us for your glory!
Enlarge our hearts!
Live, work, love through us!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: How has God called you to live out your faith in Jesus?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you go and learn to share God’s love and grace with everyone you encounter!

Photo courtesy of Quinn Miller