Pastor Obie continues that, the third trait of spiritual grit is that it seeks common ground amidst misunderstandings in order to point to Jesus. We are all part of the common human race on this rotating planet that our Creator made for life on earth. Sure there are differences, but seek and find the similarities. Meet people where they are at and build trust and relationships for open and honest conversations. Everyone sees and knows that here is great division and chaos in the world today, but Jesus is the Prince of Peace. As disciples of Christ, we have been commanded and commissioned by Jesus to “seek and save the lost” through the Gospel, in the ministry of redemption, regeneration, reconciliation and restoration. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21declares, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Jesus meets us where we are at, but He does not keep us where we are at. Righteousness, by definition, is being in a right relationship with the Lord, your God.
Acts 14:18-20 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them. Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
The fourth trait of spiritual grit is that grit takes a hit, but never quits. In John 3:19-20 Jesus forewarns His followers, “that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Foreveryone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” As darkness and light cannot occupy them same space, neither can sin and righteous holiness. 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 and Ephesians 5:11-13 confirm that there is no true fellowship there, just ministry opportunities, but expect resistance and opposition; maybe even aggression and persecution. Jesus states in John 15:18 ,“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. Don’t seek the approval of sinful mankind, but seek the approval of God by walking in His holy Word, Will and Way.
Acts 14:21-28 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
The fifth trait of spiritual grit is it overcomes discouragement and flips it into encouragement for others. Open the door of faith with the eternal perspective of the gospel and focus on entering the kingdom of Heaven by living under the authority of the kingdom of God. The Believer’s purpose is to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ, Lord of all and Savior of the world. Reduce the population of Hell. Be a kingdom builder.
In Christ, Brian
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