Last week I shared a post about the fact that in life and in ministry we cannot save other people. We can’t even save ourselves. Only Christ can do that (with our believing and acceptance).
In this post I would like to explore the reality that ultimately we cannot change the people whom we interact with or minister to.
Sounds kinda discouraging, doesn’t it?
And yet it is vitally important that we come to understand this if we are going to be effective in ministry
There is an old expression that might be helpful for us to consider here:
“You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink.”
I think a follow up colloquialism is also appropriate:
“Yes, but you can salt his oats.”
We can’t change people, we cannot force them to do anything. We cannot bribe, cajole, beg, plead or ultimately cause people to change. Husbands and wives understand this (or at least they come to understand it over time).
Pastors would do well to understand this as soon as possible.
And although we cannot change them (or force them to drink) perhaps we can make them thirsty to where they themselves will desire to take a deep quenching drink from the Living Water that is Jesus Christ.
So how can we make them thirsty? And how can we lead them to Jesus, the Living Water?
I offer these few quick suggestions that might help:
- Preach often on the goodness, holiness, generosity, graciousness, benevolence and promises of God
- Share the testimonies of other people who have been miraculously saved, healed and changed
- Speak highly (and often!) about the power, authority, authenticity and trustworthiness of the Bible
- Share your own stories of how God has changed you
- Be constantly spiritually inquisitive yourself and in turn ask the people around you about what God is teaching them and what God is prompting them to do
- Show deep and radical grace, love, compassion and generosity which will pique their curiosity as to why you are the way you are.
Of course the list goes on, but we simply must remember that Jesus saves and Jesus sanctifies & transforms. We point people to Jesus. We brag on Him. We live a life of worship and praise unto Him. We boldly and joyfully declare His Word (commands, warnings and promises all three). And then as we pray for them and keep pointing to Jesus, we can watch and see how God Himself saves and then begins transforming them.
So please, before you try to guilt people, bully people or bribe people, instead just share the good news of who God is and let His glory pierce their hearts and watch and see as they themselves ask Him to change them. I promise, it’ll be miraculous, beautiful and far better than anything our meager efforts could do.
Pastor Michael Johnson 