These last few months have brought with them a deeper revelation of how the Gospel is represented by our actions, and through faith manifests it's "harvest" over the years.
We always talk about "the living Gospel" seen by others that may not have been in the position to "hear" it preached by us but "witness" it's power in our lives "a far off."
One such incident came to mind this morning that "pulled the carpet" out from under me and humbled me.
Elise and I were saved back in late 1981. It had a profound effect on our friends in that it changed our lifestyle, language, habits, and conversations. The proverbial 180 degree turn around that could be seen and heard. Not surprisingly we lost most our friends do to the faith content of our lives, and only those who were "raised in that way" continued on with us even though most of them were not living or speaking it at that time.
There was at the same time this couple who were close friends both the husband and the wife. The husband I used to hunt with and before my salvation experience we were bookends. His wife was my wife's close friend also and she was raised baptist and held on to Christian principles even though there was no obvious effect on her husband. I am sure that when Elise and I were saved it brought with it some support and relief to her situation. Surprisingly the husband kept our friendship close keeping a weary eye on whether or not my conversion was really going to mean anything.
Needless to say Elise and I were "rooted and grounded in Love" and they both realized that we weren't going anywhere and proved to them our friendship was sincere and lasting after the "spiritual" experience. Of course I stopped participating in the debauchery that was common place between her husband and I and that didn't seem to bother him at all.
Over the years our families drifted apart but only out of both families just living life. Hunting was a big activity that we did together and pig slaughtering during the winter. When both those activities were eliminated our common bond was set aside. Every now and then we would cross paths somewhere and greetings were exchanged but no real involvement. Still he always knew where we stood and what we practiced but it didn't matter to him.
That was over 35 years ago.
So you can imagine the surprise when we get a phone call several months ago from the wife saying they would like to stop by for a visit on there way back to Mich. coming I think from Florida. This would take them hundreds of miles out of the way but they said that they had to see us. Our instant response was "come on down."
Within a couple of days they were sitting at the table catching up. The wife was always a smiley type and the husband seemed deep in thought. Then he asked if we could step outside and talk privately. Out the door we went and then the most wonderful conversation started.
A foot note here:
I believe that the Holy Spirit is the one who "calls one" to Jesus, not me, not anyone but the Holy Spirit. I quietly prayed "Lord fill my mouth that I might open it wide", also "send forth thy Holy Spirit to prepare the ground of his heart to receive the "Word of Life, the Gospel of Christ" so that none may perish but all have eternal life. I do not believe that I am at anytime the "last stop" for someone on the road of life. Only God knows our lives "as a story already told" and only He knows when the "end cometh." I passed on the chance for salvation many times in my life and here I am, saved, water baptized, Baptized in the Holy Spirit, and on my way to glory. For as foul as I was the last stop should of come a long time ago, especially the way I tormented those that were doing the witnessing. You get saved when the Holy Spirit "draws you in through the Gospel, man is only a vessel and you cannot be forced or reconnoitered into believing. It's a work of God in the heart. More on this in a later post.
Back to the "wonderful conversation!"
After we went outside he immediately asked if I was still in the faith as earnestly as I was before? I said yes. He asked me about God still working miracles in our lives as before? I said yes. He asked if God (Jesus) has ever let me down? I said no, but I was immediately convicted about how many times I had let Him down and wept. At that time I told him the story of Elise and her brain tumor and what had happened with that. How God intervened miraculously to restore her in unprecedented time. He began to weep and told me how his mother followed Christ, and that on her death bed she begged him to "know Jesus" before he passed. He then said that he just wasn't ready to make that commitment yet with tears in his eyes. I told him of heaven and hell and how I was taken into both places affirming that they were real. He believed me for he knew my life and my testimony. I realized that I would not be the one used "bring him in" but only one who waters as the seed has many times been sown upon the ground of his heart. He gave me a huge embrace weeping and thanked me for being there as an example for him. Note: once an example always an example. Time holds no limit for ones testimony of Jesus Christ, he held onto the memory of mine for over 35 years and found it to be true still today.
We went back into the house where his wife noticed he had been weeping and knew that what he came for he received. She was blessed and happy when her husband left the room and I told her that some watering had been done and that he was moved by it. She said that she could sense that and thanked me for it.
Second to presentation of the Gospel is how you live it. Remember that.
Let Jesus Love someone through you.
Love
Jerry and Elise
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