God Ordained Opportunities
By George Stroh
August 2, 2021
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. (Colossians 4:5)
As Christians, every personal encounter we have with unbelievers is ordained by God. Each conversation, even a very brief conversation with an unbeliever, is a God ordained opportunity to unveil some of His love, grace, mercy, and maybe even His saving gospel message; Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Sometimes we have the opportunity to sow a seed in an unbeliever's heart that God has prepared to receive His gospel. At other times, we have the opportunity to water and cultivate a gospel seed previously sown in an unbeliever's heart. The Apostle Paul wrote; I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:6)
The circumstances and the nature of our relationships with unbelievers and their openness to receive God's truth will vary. But we, as ambassadors of Christ, need to be prepared for these personal encounter opportunities and be ready to sow, water or cultivate. We do so by praying for opportunities, staying alert, and by being sensitive to God's leading; Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. (Colossians 4:6)
Maranatha!