Anna Moore

Tears streamed down my face as I tried singing these words with my church family on Sunday:

We believe in God the Father
We believe in Jesus Christ
We believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life
We believe in the crucifixion
We believe that He conquered death
We believe in the resurrection
And He’s comin’ back again
We believe

We declared our own statement of faith in melody. This is what we believe. This is our creed. These statements are true and basic at their core, but most don’t believe what we believe. It’s a melody only a select group of us can sing.

On Saturday we got a knock on our door and I was greeted by our Jehovah’s Witness friends again. They asked how we had been, asking specific details they have learned about our life over the last few months since we met. After the initial chit-chat, we started talking about what we believe. It didn’t take long for us to have things in common, and it took about the same amount of time to see where we differ. What seems so obvious to me is a stumbling block for them.

The conversation stuck with me through Sunday morning. My heart aches for them. So as I sang the words that are foundational about the God I know and believe in, I sought the Lord to give others spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear what is true. I pray many would come to know the one true God who is the ultimate authority in this world. I pray our friends and so many others wouldn’t be deceived by cunning, half-truths, and empty promises. The enemy of this world is crafty like that.

This is why I pray. I can’t do anything to make someone realize they need Jesus, but I can pray to the One who can, and make my petitions known.

Only Jesus can save

With family and friends, I’m not sure there is anything better than seeing them living their lives for Jesus. Steadfast prayers become realized. They taste and see the Lord’s goodness. But what if that hasn’t happened yet for some? Or what if some struggle to actually follow Jesus in their Christianity?

Here’s something God’s teaching me about all of this: I cannot be anyone’s savior. I was not created to save people. I don’t have that ability. Only Jesus can save.

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:11-12 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. “
John 14:6 ESV

God cares for us, and He knows we care about our families and friends, even new friends He brings to our doorstep. But, we can’t handle the weight of someone’s salvation because we weren’t made to. We can’t carry the burden of our own sin, much less someone else’s. If Christ wanted to reveal the weight of our own sin to us each day, it would be too harsh, and He is a very kind, loving God. It is only Christ who can save, and only the Holy Spirit who can convict and transform. We trust He knows what He’s doing.

This is why we pray.

Only the Holy Spirit can penetrate hearts

We can’t sanctify or transform anyone, not even ourselves. Only the Holy Spirit can penetrate hearts. While we can and should pray for people and not give up (Luke 18:1), only the Holy Spirit can do the transforming work within us. Only He can reveal to us our true need for Him.

What is mind-blowing is that He chooses to use us in His saving work. He doesn’t have to, and doesn’t need to, but sometimes He does. How does He use us? I believe He uses us by reflecting Christ in our lives. We were created to glorify Him.

Through obedience and faithfulness, our very lives can exalt and elevate Christ. We don’t have to shout our testimonies to people or tell everyone we encounter that they are a sinner (though if the Holy Spirit leads you to do either, go for it), we simply do the next right thing He calls us to in the context He has us in and we let that be enough. Whatever small or grand thing He assigns us, let that be enough. He can use us however He wants to.

While being a Christian might be an act for some, being a Christ-follower will be all-consuming. It will be life-transforming. Pastor David Guzik says, “bearing fruit is always the result of abiding in Jesus” (John 15:4-6).

Neighbors, co-workers, family members, friends, social media followers, and even strangers will notice you do things a little differently than others. The way you steward your time, talents, and resources will be apparent. How you respond and interact with others will be apparent. How you treat your spouse will be apparent. The things the Holy Spirit reveals to you in His Word will consume your thoughts and life.

You will be forever changed, and people will notice.

No, we can’t be anyone’s savior, but we can choose to live our lives in adoration of the One who can be. We can pray earnestly to the King of Kings. We can trust Him to build His Kingdom and be obedient when He gives us new assignments. We can live out our creed to a watching world.

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