The Wonderful Counselor
Inquirers may be reluctant to share intimate details with us, but what happens if they share openly with God? What does God do with the information we share with Him? “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9). The more open we are with God, the more we stand to gain.
But how could God possibly understand us? He is God who sits on His throne. He can pull any lever He wants! Isn’t that what Jesus is all about? “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:15,16). The church has the grace to help in time of need, but if we don’t first show mercy, we may never be given that opportunity. Mercy is not giving people what they deserve. Grace is giving others what they don’t deserve.
Although encouragers will not be perfect in this lifetime, they have the opportunity to connect with the One who is. They also have the privilege to connect others with perfect love. Including God in the discipling process changes the whole dynamic. Inquirers may be tempted to withhold information or lie to us, but that is a lot less likely to happen when they connect directly with God. When God brings truth to their minds; love, forgiveness, and acceptance comes with it, because Jesus is the Truth, and God is love. When conviction comes from God, the power to change comes with it.
Dr. Neil
For Spanish, see http://www.ficmm.org/blog
