Jesus conveyed that we should not go to the world either condemningly with a hard heart of stone or carelessly with a loose heart of sand; rather, we should go connectedly with the Spirit of God in total humility, and with a soft heart of clay (Matthew 7:1-12).
Every encounter with another person a three-way call. When we are connected with God and connected with others, then they are connected with God. Whereas pride brings static on the line, humility offers a clear connection.
When we ask God for guidance (Connection One) and ask questions of others (Connection Two), the Holy Spirit connects others with God (Connection Three).
Describing Connection Three, Jesus taught: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). The Law and the Prophets were designed to connect others with God. Jesus described this humility toward God and others as the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-40), and Paul said that the entire law was summed up in one command, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14). He told the Romans that love fulfilled the law (Romans 13:9-10). Jesus’ half-brother James agreed (James 2:8).
The apostle Peter clarified the importance of others asking God into their lives: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
On a hot Middle Eastern day, Jesus provided the ultimate picture of a three-way call when He connected with the heart of the Father and with the woman at the well, who then also connected with God. He was not condemning. He was not careless. He was connected, and He asked. Consequently, she asked the Restorer into her life (John 4:1-54).
I have prayed with scores of people to surrender their lives to Christ. Every single one was asked. I usually phrase the question this way, “Would you like to draw a line in the sand, put a stake in the ground, and fully surrender your heart and life to Christ as Savior and Lord?” Then I ask each to pray a simple prayer to God, “I can’t. You can. I can’t free myself from the penalty of my sin. In Christ, You can. I can’t free myself from the power of my sin. In Christ, You can. I fully surrender my heart and life to You as Savior to free me from the penalty and Lord to free me from the power of my sin. Please forgive me and restore me.”
Trade your condemning heart of stone or your careless heart of sand for a soft heart of clay that is connected with God and others. Ask the Holy Spirit to take the plank out of your own eye so that you can clearly see the speck in others’ eyes. Ask Him for wisdom to answer outsiders. Ask others how you can serve them. Listen. In everything, act with Christ’s heart of humility, and His Spirit will connect them with God.
Every encounter is a three-way call. Whereas pride causes static on the line, humility offers a clear connection.
Episode 16: Restoring Others: Every Encounter is a Three-Way Call from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.