But do you find it difficult to share this message of salvation? Is is hard to even open up to those close to you, maybe even family members? It is a challenge for all of us. I am not sure of the exact reasons because we do want all to have eternal life at the minimum. I think even when we may experience a nudge from the Holy Spirit to share the message of salvation, we tend to hesitate and think about it. We actually second guess what we are feeling. Of course there are a vast number of ways to point people to Christ without "witnessing" to people or directly telling them the story of salvation. Though they do have their place.
We know there are countless ways to speak about Jesus. But we still have some trouble in the area, or at least a lot of us. That is why it is so important to receive a discerning heart and a wise heart from God. This will help us in the words we choose and the approach we take. Our discerning heart can greatly benefit our duties in spreading the message of salvation. Solomon did not know how to carry our his duties either. So he asked for a discerning heart to help him and he got it!
We now realize another reason a discerning and wise heart is so needed in our Christian walk on earth. To further investigate our desire to bring others to Christ, we are going to 2 Peter 3:10. God wants you to realize your heart for other people and your desire to bring them to Jesus. You will be amazed what your hearts holds when you use this week's lesson. You are going to learn something very valuable about yourself, something of great value to God.
Let's read 2 Peter 3:10 that describes the return of Christ.
2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar;
the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
Christ's return will be sudden, unexpected - like a thief. Do you expect a thief to arrive in your house? Of course not. It's totally unexpected and somewhat shocking. Jesus will return sudden, without our expectation. With his return the heavens (the sky) will disappear and the earth will be bare. It is not a pretty picture. If you really put some thought into it, it would be frightful. Peter goes on to say in 2 Peter chapter 3 that the heavens will be destroyed by fire and "the elements will melt in the heat." The heavens refers here to the expanse of the sky and everything in it, thus the universe. Everything will be destroyed.
However there is good news? Read.
2 Peter 3:13
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
There will be a new heaven and a new earth for the body of Christ, for Christians just like you and me. It is for all Christians, not just the "good ones." - It's not just for those that we see as upright (whether they truly are or not). It is for all of us who accepted Jesus into our hearts, the righteous. Jesus died for us to be righteous and live in the home of righteousness.
Peter addresses the people (in this chapter) on the subject of how they should act knowing that Christ could come at any time. That is an excellent teaching. However I want you to consider something else. When thinking about the destruction of the heavens and the earth, I want you to think not as much about how you should live in peace with God but more about how you should act to the unsaved.
Peter says in 2 Peter 3:11, 12
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.
So true dear Peter. With this lesson this week I want to offer you a different question spinning off Peter's question.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what should you be doing for the unsaved now?
While we look forward to "the day of the Lord" what should we be doing for those who do not look forward to Christ's return? What should we do for those who do not know of a new heaven and a new earth? What should we do for those who do not know of the hope in Christ? What should we do for those people who are not aware that Christ's return will be sudden and everything will be destroyed?
Can we do nothing? Can we do more than pray for them? Can we if we have a discerning heart and wisdom share with them the hope and truth of Jesus?
This week discover just what your heart contains. Discover the compassion it holds for the unsaved. Realize the love you really do have for the unsaved. Do this by remembering Peter's description of the return of Christ and then consider what you should be doing now for the unsaved.
The day of the Lord:
"will come like a thief"
"the heavens will disappear with a roar"
"the elements will be destroyed by fire"
"the earth and everything in it will be laid bare"
But
"we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness"
Ask yourself this week:
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what should I be doing for the unsaved now?
This lesson is only meant to show you what your heart holds for the unsaved. God wants you to see how much you do care about them and want to help them know Christ. Then you can know how much you need a wise and discerning heart to help them. You will realize how much you desire this wisdom to allow you the right and Godly words and actions to help them.
God is bringing this message to us in love, and only in love. Accept it in his great love for you. Don't even consider what you have not accomplished in the past regarding the unsaved. This message is one of love. God wants you to see your heart and your love for others in the world so you can yearn for his wisdom. When you really see that you do care so much for the unsaved, you will begin to move in a new direction. Your motives will change. Your attitude will change. Your confidence in the message of salvation will grow strong and bold. And you will absolutely want more than ever before the wise and discerning heart to lead you to say and do Godly, loving things to reach the unsaved for Jesus.
So please enjoy seeing a beautiful part of yourself, maybe something you did not even know was there. Enjoy knowing that you have love in your heart. This week you get to look at your heart. Did you realize such a thing was possible? You may just open up some hidden areas that need to be noticed so you can see what a lovely heart you own.
Know God gives you this lesson in his insurmountable love! Love that is incapable of being surmounted, surpassed or overcome.
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