Running Out Of Time: But I’m Not Good Enough!

Many people think that they are not good enough to witness to someone about Jesus Christ and what He has done for us.  Let me give you a hint.  None of us are.  That’s why we so desperately need Him in the first place.  We as fallen humans are complete idiots compared with God, but we weren’t called to stay that way.

There are all sorts of excuses for this. Let’s look at some major ones.

I’m Too Old! … Wait, Too Young Perhaps?

Let’s get right to it.  If you were too old for God to use you.  You’d be dead.

Noah was between 500 and 600 years old

Abraham was 90 years old when the Lord told him to pack up and leave his familiar city and follow God to a place he had never seen before.  His wife Sarah was of a similar age when the Lord said she would have a son, thus allowing Abraham to become the Father of Many Nations as the Lord had promised him.

Timothy was a teenager when he assumed important responsibilities in the Apostle Paul’s ministry.

Jeremiah was also a teenager when God called him to be a prophet.  He wrote a rather long, significant book in the Old Testament and served as God’s messenger to God’s chosen people for many years because he started so young.

I’m all used up and have nothing to give.

You have life experience that can’t be matched.  You can tell people in your age group and younger about the many ways that God has been faithful to you throughout your life.  Chances are you’ve studied scripture longer than others and have a firm grasp as to the message that is conveyed.  You can show them how to live in a way that is pleasing to God.

With age comes wisdom.

“Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.
Proverbs 16:31 NIV

They won’t listen to me.

Many may not, it has nothing to do with your age  We must still be ready to tell people.  Someone may listen.  We never know what kind of impact we have on those around us.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

1 Timothy 4:12 NIV

I’m Too Much Of A Sinner For God To Want Me

A short glance through the Bible should give you incredible comfort that God can call you and me, incredibly dirty sinners, more filthy and undeserving than we will ever know, to do the work of His purposes.

Adam kept making excuses.
Noah had a habit of getting ridiculously drunk.
Abraham thought he was too old.
Sarah was not even able to have kids.
Samson was not very bright.
King David had a porn problem which caused him to sleep around.  As a consequence for his sin the Lord would divide the kingdom against him.  However, God would still keep his end of the bargain, that a son of David would always be on the throne (Jesus was of David’s line) and that is why we have salvation today.
His son Solomon, though he was wise, had no self-control and married many wives.
Jonah was angry and ran from God originally.
The Apostle Paul killed Christians originally.
Jeremiah and Timothy thought they were too young.

God used all of these people in spite of their many flaws for his purposes.
He can use you too.

Another note of comfort.  We are called to tell people of what Jesus Christ has done for us (Taking the wrath of God upon himself and bridging the gap between us and God) but the actual saving always comes from God.  We are to be available to be used how God wants to use us, but He is the one who ultimately brings a fellow sinner salvation.

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”

1 Corinthians 3:6 NIV

All we are called to do is plant the seeds and water them.  The fancy terms for these illustrations of planting and watering are evangelism, which you have already been learning about, and discipleship, which I will cover in the next part.

Be faithful.  Be available.

“But in your hearts revere 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 Peter3:15 NIV

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