God and Our Witness
Scripture Reading — 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
We ought always to thank God for you . . . because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
Have you ever tried witnessing about God’s love to your friends, neighbors, and coworkers? If you have, you know it’s not easy. When I share the gospel with others, I become disappointed when they reject God’s salvation.
In our gospel outreach we have to be encouraged that it’s God’s work, first of all. We have to be patient and rely fully on God. Many of his plans are hidden from us. But God’s will for our life as Christians is clear: We must be a living testimony to the saving grace of Christ. And we must share this hope with others by witnessing through what we say and do.
The apostle Paul thanks God for choosing the Thessalonian believers to be saved through faith and the sanctifying work of the Spirit. Paul was likely the one who started the church there by preaching in a local synagogue (see Acts 17:1-4). But instead of taking any credit for that, Paul simply gives thanks to God.
Many of our readers share their concern for their unbelieving relatives and friends. They pray regularly that these loved ones may come to know Jesus as their Savior. Based on the Scriptures, my encouragement is this: Trust the Lord, witness about his love boldly, and let the Spirit use your testimony for God’s purpose in his time!
Father, make us a living witness to your saving love and mercy in Jesus Christ. Purify our imperfect testimony by your Spirit’s power so that others may believe in the truth. Amen.
About the author — Sergei Sosedkin
Rev. Sergei Sosedkin is the Russian-language ministry leader for ReFrame Ministries. He is a native of Moscow, Russia. As he oversees the Russian-language ministry, Rev. Sosedkin works from our office in Grand Rapids and in various locations in Russia.
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