When I was younger, I had a little fascination with courtroom dramas. I watched "The People's Court" and "Matlock." Even now, I'll periodically get sucked in to "Law & Order."
There's something compelling about watching detectives and lawyers build up a case and find evidence. Then, you wait in anticipation to see the wise judge determine a verdict.
Imagine if a judge looked at you and said, "You're the evidence."
Huh?
That sounds kind of strange, but when it comes to supporting a case for the existence of God, it could be true.
Have you ever heard the saying, "You're the only Jesus someone might ever see?" There's a bit of truth in that statement. But I think it slightly misses the mark. Whether or not people see Jesus in you or me, they could see Him in creation, in the Bible, in music or even in writings from other people (like C.S. Lewis, Max Lucado or other great authors). However, you and I could definitely be part of the "evidence" that someone uses to determine whether or not God is real.
That sounds like a tall order--it is. But we don't have to be the "evidence" on our own. The Holy Spirit can give us "convictions of steel." Take heart in what we read in today's passage:
It is clear to us, friends,
that God not only loves you very much
but also has put his hand on you
for something special.
When the Message we preached came to you,
it wasn't just words.
Something happened in you.
The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions...
Do you know that all over the provinces...
Do you know that all over the provinces...
believers look up to you?
The word has gotten around.
Your lives are echoing the Master's Word,
not only in the provinces but all over the place.
The news of your faith in God is out.
We don't even have to say anything anymore—
you're the message!
Tomorrow: 2 Thessalonians
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