Using John with John

​Sometimes I find the best way to determine a person’s spiritual condition is to ask indirect questions. While waiting for a car at the Avis rental in Baltimore, I noticed the name of the man behind the counter was John. So I asked him, “Do you know what my favorite book in the Bible is?”  He looked across at me with a smile and said “No.”   I told him it was the book of John.  To this he responded by saying yes, he also liked John.  Then he proceeded to tell me what Matthew, Mark, Luke and John emphasized about Jesus in their accounts.  While John arranged for me to rent a car, we had a splendid time of fellowship. 

Before I left to pick up the car, John, whom by now I discovered was from Kenya, reached across the counter and grabbed my hand. In the midst of a busy office, he proceeded to pray a prayer of blessing over my life and trip. Then the two of us parted, warmed to the bone in fellowship.    
 
Meditation
2 Corinthians 4:5,6—For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves because of Jesus.  For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
 
God never called us to proclaim ourselves.  He called us to declare His Son.  Using John with John brought us directly to Jesus.  Immediately the light in both of our hearts made for a glorious shining.  But what if John had not been a Christian?  Had he been unaware that there was even a book of John would have indicated that he was not likely a believer.  Then, at least I might have sown a seed and suggested that he pick up a Bible and read the incredible account by one who shared his name, or even better, given him a gospel of John.   

​Indirect questioning is an effective and often inoffensive way to find out a person’s spiritual condition.  If nothing else it can serve as a means of sparking a person’s curiosity.   The key is that we proclaim!  God did not sacrifice His Son for us to quietly mind ourown business and let the world go to hell. He changed our lives so that we might share the incredible and wonderful story of Jesus our Savior-Redeemer. There are lots of ways to communicate and the Holy Spirit is faithful to give us ideas if we will listen.  Heart shining is always meant to reveal God’s glory rendered through the obedient life, death and resurrection of His Son.  So shine and proclaim and watch how God blesses you in your journey.
 
Inspiration
A servant is one who has given up his right to himself to the God whom he proclaims, a witness to Jesus, i.e., a satisfaction to Jesus Christ wherever he goes.—Oswald Chambers in Studies in the Sermon on the Mount
 
©2014 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)