Other Places

Thank you to John Carley for the breathtaking featured photo!

John 1:5 The LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Look at the stunning picture above. Imagine that the Aurora Borealis represents God’s awesome Spirit. The beautiful lights of space are the lives of believers shining with the Glory of God.

And the darkness…

The darkness of space is vast and symbolizes people who are apart from Christ. There is light everywhere around them, but they choose to stay in darkness.

Have you considered that the person next to you in church could be struggling with their faith? They are friendly and participate in worship. They are always there. We judge them to be redeemed, just like we are.

But what if they are lost?

And only God knows.

Judging people, whether well-intentioned or not, is always sinful. We simply do not know.

But there are people going to church who are walking in darkness. They are surrounded by the LIGHT of Christ. His Church. We are prone to look for lost people in other places. Not church.

I don’t know about you, but those images make me sad. There’s so many on the outside while walking right up to the life that God wants to share.

Yet they just won’t give Him their heart.

That graphic picture motivates me to let Jesus’ light shine through me. It’s about how I practically engage with others, never judging them.

Jesus spoke to them again: 

“I am the light of the world.

Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness

but will have the light of life. ”

John 8:12 (CSB)

What should I do? Should I ask people if they know Jesus? Am I going to offend my friends or other church members?

The answer to each of these questions follow.

What to do?

Let the Gospel flow freely from my life.

John 7:37-38 Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!  Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living WATER will flow from the heart of anyone who believes in Me.”

I won’t force anyone. Everyone can choose. Did you read what Jesus said? “Anyone…may come to Me…” How would they know to come to Him? “…rivers of living water will flow from the heart of believers…” The Spirit works through believers who walk with Him. People who are lost can see Him in our lives.

John 15:4 “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the VINE, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me. The Message

Am I supposed to ask everyone if they are saved?

But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy,

ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for

a reason for the hope that is in you.

1 Peter 3:15

John 15 I AM the VINE. You are the branches CSB

What’s at stake?

The answer is simply this…

John 3:36 “And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal LIFE. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal LIFE but remains under God’s angry judgment.” NLT

Is God or His Word too Harsh?

God is Love itself. But God has wrath for sin. He is holy, good and patient. He cannot even look at sin. But that did not negate His Love.

Psalm 51:4 “Against You, and You alone have I sinned.” CSB But God’s Love provided a Substitute to receive the punishment for sin. Jesus.

Therefore, it is a great kindness that God warns of the reality of Hell and death. Yet, it would be fair if there were no remedy. Justice demands a remedy. Instead of justice, we have been provided with Grace and Mercy and a choice.

Isaiah 55:6-7 NLT

Here is an idea to get the conversation going.

First, know your own heart. 1 Corinthians 15:34 NLT Pray for God to prepare you to reach someone. Read God’s Word every day. Walk with God. Know what the Gospel is.

Reach out in kindness. Invite them to have coffee. The Holy Spirit is our wonderful Guide and Teacher. He will help you.

Of course, never forget those on the outside who don’t go to church. The purpose of this study is simply a reminder that lost people are also in other places where we least expect, not just the obvious.

The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.