Have you ever invited someone to church expecting they will be saved? How about being prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray for someone or tell them about Jesus? But you see “nothing” happen? Maybe you’re like me and share the message of salvation through blogging and social media. No matter how you tell people about God, you’re sharing the light of the Gospel with a dark world that desperately needs it.

The apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians addresses the preaching of the Gospel. While you might not consider yourself a preacher of the Gospel, whenever you tell someone about Jesus, you’re helping advance the Gospel of Christ. One of the many problems the Corinthians had was seeing the world through worldly eyes. This perspective makes sense since the church at Corinth was new. However, one of the problems with their worldly perspective was how they saw those who delivered the Gospel message.

The church at Corinth was a church divided. Instead of following Christ as one, some chose to follow those who preached the message instead of Jesus.

What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”

1 Corinthians 1:12 (NIV)

My pastor preaches most of the time at my church, but sometimes he might ask an elder or deacon to preach. Other times, my pastor may have a guest pastor, or, like this upcoming Sunday, when he’s going to be out of town, he’ll have someone preach in his stead. Sometimes we might feel disappointed, and we skip church if we know our pastor isn’t going to be there. Have you ever attended church and expected someone to preach, like your pastor, and someone else preached instead? Ask yourself why. Why are you disappointed? It could be for the same reason the Corinthians were divided. You’ve come to see yourself following a human instead of Christ.

While Paul addresses the issue of following people over Christ, he also says something we should pay attention to. Especially if we are people who share the Gospel message.

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.

1 Corinthians 3:6-8 (NIV)

Everyone who shares the Gospel message has a part. Some plant seeds, and others water them. Some of us may primarily be those who plant the seeds, while others are the ones who water. If you’ve ever planted something, you might have waited expectantly for it to grow and when you see that first growth, if you’re like me, you feel a certain joy. We feel a sense of accomplishment when we see something grow that we’ve nurtured. However, as one who plants or waters, we must plant and water with faith because, as Paul said, God makes the seed grow.

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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