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The Gospel's Credibility is Not About Me

11/12/2015

25 Comments

 
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You know those weeks? The weeks where your world is shaken? The weeks where you have to cling to what God says is true about you or you will just shrivel up? I just had one of those weeks. 
 
I don’t get the “call me NOW,” texts from my dad very often. So, I immediately walked down the steps of the auditorium class, and called my dad from the hallway.
 
“Are you in a place where it would be bad if you freak out?”
 
“No,” I questioned.
 
“Zack killed himself in our cabin. I just called the police. He was such a good guy.”
 
I didn’t have words and my eyes were instantly blurry.
 
“I talked to him today,” Dad said, “I just can’t believe he actually did it. I can’t believe I didn’t know.”
 
In that moment I became numb. I realized how small I am, how big God is, and how thankful I am that Jesus died to forgive me.  You see, death is sad— and suicide is horrible and I had made a mistake. I couldn’t help but to feel incredibly guilty. I had made the Gospel’s credibility about me.
 
Zack was terminally ill. He came to us looking for help. We employed him, gave him a place to stay and genuinely tried to fill his life with light. Long conversations and big smiles every time we saw him.
 
Two years ago I thought, “what a great opportunity to reflect God’s character… then once he knows that I’m a good person, I’ll tell him about Jesus.”
 
As if the Gospel needed ME to add to its credibility.  The very raw truth is, that Zack did not need good people in his life… Zack (just like me and you) desperately needed Jesus.
 
The fact of the matter is, I didn’t use my words to live on Mission, I tried to use only my actions. That somehow, Zack would see my actions and understand that God sent His son to die on a cross to pay our debt because we were dead in sin.
 
Have you ever done that? Thought that you needed to improve yourself? Clean up your mess? Or prove your worth before sharing the Gospel? I did.
 
What would it have looked like if Jesus did that? What if Jesus was just a seemingly very good guy? But never taught, never told us who He was or what He was on earth to do out loud? What if He never explained God’s character, or that we would be forgiven? Would we look at Him the same way we do today?… I don’t think so.
 
As time has passed, and I have clung to God’s truth, I am reminded that His grace is sufficient. That people don’t save people, God saves people.
 
The Gospel’s credibility and worthiness was around long before you and I were, and will be after we are gone. Actions do speak loudly, but not as loudly as our words.
 
If we do our best to live the Spirit Filled Life and let our actions point back to the Gospel, but don’t stop at just that... If we speak the Gospel, breathe the Gospel, live out the Gospel! How much easier would it be for God to use us in His mission? How many more people would realize their need to be desperately dependent on Him?

Pssst.... this post is apart of the 5th Annual Not About Me November Series. Check the rest of the posts out here.
Who was Jesus? What is the Bible actually about? Watch this short video to find out.

About Jacque 

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Jacque is a college student in Denver, CO who balances her time between trying to go to class and learning about His saving grace and perfect love as much as she can.  She is a twenty something, DIY attempting, Jesus loving, Denver living, small town rooted, Colorado sports fan.  She loves black coffee, long conversations and watching people do what God created them for. You can find her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. ​

If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.

Sharing this over at these awesome blogs.
25 Comments
Lisa notes link
11/13/2015 08:43:54 am

Oh my. That's so tragic about Zack. My prayers are with his family and with your family. I hope you won't carry any guilt about his suicide.... The Lord has mercy on us all.

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Jacque K.
11/16/2015 03:53:33 pm

Thanks so much for commenting & for your prayers. God is good and He always will be! Thanks again, Lisa. It means a lot.

Reply
Carol link
11/13/2015 09:20:43 am

Jacque, your post is honest and a great message for all of us. I know I need to speak up more. People need to hear the gospel. We are always learning and being refined. Blessings!

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Jacque K.
11/16/2015 03:57:00 pm

Thanks for your encouragement. And you're so right. We just have to do our best to yield to Him and let Him teach us. Prayed for you!!

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Joanne Viola link
11/14/2015 05:09:29 am

This post brings a message we all need to be reminded of. There are so many who feel hopeless and alone and without an answer. May we offer them the only answer which brings hope - Jesus. Praying for you all.

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Jacque K.
11/16/2015 03:59:35 pm

Jesus is the only thing that was able to to help me. Thanks for your prayers, Joanne!

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Kathy link
11/16/2015 10:59:48 am

What a powerful post filled with wisdom! We so often don't take that extra step to share the transformative truth of Jesus and His words. Thank you for this message today, I will really be dwelling on this! And you also did something kind that Jesus knows and sees..when we give to the least of those!

Reply
Jacque K.
11/16/2015 04:13:41 pm

Thanks for your words, Kathy. You're right Jesus did know and He did see--that's for reminding me of that. :) Prayed for you!

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Dan Dilley
11/16/2015 06:34:15 pm

Superb!

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Jacque K.
11/17/2015 08:12:07 am

Dan! Thanks for always being so supportive. (:

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Sue Keller
11/16/2015 10:00:23 pm

Beautiful!

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Jacque K.
11/17/2015 08:12:46 am

Thanks, Gram. :)

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Bethany link
11/17/2015 09:56:42 am

Great timely post! Perfect!

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Jacque K.
11/26/2015 09:40:16 pm

Thanks for your encouragement, Bethany!!

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Trudy link
11/17/2015 09:59:16 am

That's so sad about Zack. It must have been awful for your dad to find him. You and your family's actions still spoke love to Zack, but I'm sure it's easy to feel guilt for not noticing more or speaking up more. Please don't beat yourself up though, Jacque. It's still not your fault. But yes, I know I, too, need to speak up more. Like you, my desire is to "speak the Gospel, breathe the Gospel, live out the Gospel!" Praying for you and your family's healing through all this. Also for Zack's family if he has one. I'm your neighbor at #raralinkup.

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Jacque K.
11/26/2015 09:49:35 pm

Trudy, your specific prayers warm my heart. Thank you so very much. God Bless.

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Barbie link
11/17/2015 11:06:58 pm

I am so sorry to hear about Zach. I cannot imagine reaching that state of hopelessness, but so many do. Praying for this young man's family.

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Jacque K.
11/26/2015 09:42:45 pm

Hi, Barbie. Thanks for praying for his family--means a lot.

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Dawn link
11/18/2015 07:41:08 pm

Sometimes it is in these moments where we hoped to never find ourselves that we find what we fully believe, just how solid our faith actually is. I am sorry for your loss and grateful that He touched your heart with His mercy and grace through this experience.

Many Blessings,
Dawn

Reply
Jacque K.
11/26/2015 09:44:59 pm

Dawn, thanks for commenting! You're so right. God's constancy is one of my favorite attributes of His--in times like these it's just so important to remember. God bless!

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Susan Shipe link
11/19/2015 12:11:47 pm

Whew, pretty heavy about Zack...and I know your family was/is in shock. Now we trust that God's love did eek through to him and Zack cried out in his deepest hour of need. Next to you at Live Free Thursday.

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Jacque K.
11/26/2015 09:46:36 pm

That's my prayer too, Susan. Thanks for your encouragement.

Reply
Julie Sunne link
11/19/2015 12:39:26 pm

What a vulnerable and powerful piece, Jacque! How many of us try to clean up our act before feeling competent to share the Gospel. Blessed to be your neighbor at #livefreeThursday.

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Jacque K.
11/26/2015 09:48:12 pm

Hi, Julie. Thanks for your kind words. I'm not sure I would ever be completely ready to share the Gospel if I didn't just jump right in. God Bless!!

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Kelly @Raising Samuels link
1/14/2016 05:02:06 pm

Prayers to you. How incredibly sad that this man took his life. What encouraging advice you offer though in reminding us to not only have our faith shine through our actions, but also our words. Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week :)

Reply



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