+DEV+ Directness

Date: May 5, 2009 11:04 PM

Topic: +DEV+     Directness

Directness

Scripture Focus: John 3:1-21

“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

In conversation with another have you ever felt that you were talking about two different subjects, even though you weren’t?

On the surface, Nicodemus‚ dialogue with Jesus appears that way. Nicodemus came trying to figure out who Jesus is, but Jesus ignored the question and went directly to the heart of his problem.

Jesus helped him grapple with his unspoken need of being born again, of putting his faith in Jesus plus nothing. He focused directly on Nicodemus‚ need without talking down to him. Jesus treated him as the intellectual he was, expecting him to understand and respond to the truth.

Sometimes we too need to be direct in our relationships others. It’s easy to ignore their needs especially their spiritual needs and talk about everything else. But if we really want to introduce them to Jesus the only way to God we must confront them directly and in a loving manner which shows we care about them as individuals and we want to help them know the God we love.

Insight: Think of one person with whom you have built a relationship but have never talked with directly about Christ. How will you do so today?