Redemption

Redemption

Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

2 Timothy 4:2

Are you praying for redemption in the life of one of your family members or friends? Do you know a child, a parent, a neighbor, or someone else you care about who needs Christ? When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), he knew redemption was exactly what she needed. She was living a sinful life, having been married five times and now living with a man who wasn’t her husband. It’s interesting to observe how Jesus dealt with her. He knew that before she could experience saving faith, she needed to be convicted of her sin.

“The only way to prepare the soil of the heart for the seed is to plow it up with conviction. That was why Jesus told [the woman] to go get her husband: he forced her to admit her sin. There can be no conversion without conviction.”^a Saving faith takes place after a person has been convicted and has chosen to repent. Jesus convicted this woman by challenging her mind, stirring her emotions, and touching her conscience.

Since I am not God, I cannot see into other people’s hearts, convict them of their sin, or change them. But there are some things I can do: I can share God’s Word, and I can pray. When I do, I am joining hands with God in preparing another person’s soul for the good news of God’s redemption.

Father,

I pray for ____________________. According to the truth of John 16:8, please convict him or her of guilt in regard to sin, righteousness, and judgment, that he or she may be drawn to you and receive your salvation. Amen.