A Prayer for Co-Laboring with God
By Laura Bailey
“I planted, Apollos watered, however God gave the expansion. So neither he who crops nor he who waters is something, however solely God who offers the expansion.” – 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 ESV
Just a few months in the past, my center daughter accepted Christ, it was a day we’d prayed for since her beginning, and my husband and I had been past excited. We attend church frequently, pray, learn the Bible as a household, and have quite a few godly influences. I wasn’t shocked when Abigail, my daughter, started asking questions on accepting Christ a couple of months earlier.
It began with a query on the best way to highschool about what an individual ought to pray to obtain salvation. Then it was a number of questions earlier than bedtime, with the ultimate pronouncement that “ Sure! I wish to settle for Jesus,” was exclaimed on the dinner desk.
Afterward, my husband and I prayed along with her, listening as she admitted her sin, requested for forgiveness, and introduced that she desired to be saved and for Christ to rule her life. We invited our pastor to return over and converse along with her in preparation for baptism within the following weeks. When our pastor left, he checked out my husband and stated, “ It’s apparent you might have spoken quite a few occasions concerning the gospel, she is aware of it, and I’m assured she is a brand new sister in Christ!”
Strolling again inside, making an attempt to cover my annoyance, my husband requested what was mistaken. I knew it shouldn’t have mattered that our pastor was simply speaking on the whole, with no slight to me, however I couldn’t assist however really feel resentful that he didn’t acknowledge my position in serving to lead my daughter to Christ. In any case, I spent hours at dwelling studying Bible tales, taking part in Sunday Faculty, singing hymns, speaking about God within the automobile, and continuously reminding my women of God’s grace and mercy in our lives. As quickly because the phrases left my lips, I wished to grab them from the air and toss them within the trash the place they belonged.
The reality was that whereas sure, my husband, our church, and relations all performed an element in encouraging Abigail to just accept Christ, it was solely by God’s grace that she acquired the reward of salvation. Whereas I may share the gospel with my daughter, I couldn’t open her coronary heart to obtain the message, nor may I save her; God is chargeable for the guts change leading to her salvation. Whereas we are able to’t save others, God, in His graciousness, invitations us to be co-laborers with him within the course of!
In our key verse, the church at Corinth was arguing about which chief they adopted within the church. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-10, Paul reminded the church that moderately than following individuals, we’re referred to as to observe God; he’s the one One worthy of our worship. Paul and Apollos had been each referred to as to minister to the Corinthians, God assigned them duties that differed based mostly on their talents, however the accountability to share the gospel remained the identical. Paul, Apollos, and different leaders within the church had been equal in that they labored collectively to share and unfold the message of salvation.
Lest the leaders of the church fall prey to pondering their roles are extra vital than others; Paul was fast to level out that solely God offers salvation and non secular development. As believers, all of us have kingdom assignments that require planting the seeds of salvation within the lives of others. However let’s additionally humbly bear in mind who we serve. God, alone, deserves the glory when a sinner repents and accepts Christ.
Simply because the Lord graciously labored in my daughter’s coronary heart, He nonetheless works in mine. I responded to the twinge of conviction for my perspective and thanked God for permitting me to co-labor with Him. Could all of us work collectively to plant non secular seeds, encourage different believers as they water, and pray that God will present development within the lives of the unbeliever.
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father, thanks for loving us a lot that you just made approach for us to have everlasting life by means of the sacrifice of your Son on the cross. Forgive us after we pridefully boast about our personal capability as a substitute of at all times supplying you with honor and glory. We pray for individuals who don’t know you as Lord and Savior. Could we joyfully serve to share the gospel and assist lead others to Christ.
In Jesus’ Title, Amen.
Photograph credit score: ©Getty Photos/fizkes
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