How can I share what I’m learning individually so it becomes of greater help to others?
Sharing life together spans the range of great joy to enduring the shame of failure. Does that mean we should hide those areas of our lives where we’ve made poor choices and the resulting consequences of an unwise decision? Does God only use the “successes” of our lives to help others? As we read the Bible it’s easy to see that failures as well as examples of obedient success are both provided for our instruction and encouragement. There are several foundational truths that we must remember and act upon if the events of our lives are to be of help to others.
King David had a colossal failure in his life through the adulterous encounter with Bathsheba, and the murder of her husband Uriah. The events of King David’s sin, repentance, forgiveness, and consequences described in 1 Samuel 11-12 serve as the background to these truths David writes in Psalms 51. Whether the life experience we are sharing is born out of obedience or failure the truths in Psalm 51 will guide us in helping others.
These Foundational Truths Are:
· God’s steadfast love for each of us is manifested through His mercy. An attitude of mercy welcomes others into our lives and opens the door of influence.
· We are all sinners who, at times, choose to live life our own way instead of God’s good plan. Failures will come, and most of the time they leave consequences, but God’s good plan is bigger than us.
· God is the restorer of the joy of His salvation and creates clean hearts. Right relationships are based upon clean hearts. We must consider: what’s my motive in sharing?
· God delights in those who come before him and others with a broken spirit (for the wrong they’ve done) and a broken and contrite heart. Humility and love must permeate my words, attitude and actions.
Once these truths are alive within us, then we are able to be of help to others in their life journey. God has an amazing way of using each of us to bring encouragement, correction, discernment, hope, and purposefulness to others! Please join me in making sure we’re prepared to be His vessel as we practice these foundational truths.
Steve Howard, Small Groups Coordinator