Yield yourself to be used by God to bring this good news to others both by my example and by my words.
We are never more like God than when we give, not just money or things, but our very selves. That is what Jesus did for us, He gave us the greatest gift of all: Himself.
This is about putting our faith into action. It is through our actions that we demonstrate to God and others the commitment we have to our faith in Jesus Christ.
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. -James 2:17
Let’s look at the definition of the word Yield:
the act of producing or bringing forth such as yielding fruit
signifies surrendering or submitting to God’s will
involves obedience which opens the believer to receiving spiritual blessings and guidance from the Lord as a result of their faith
Our daily walk should exhibit the fruit of the Spirit:
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. -Galatians 5:22-23
These should be seen in our words and our actions. This principle is about us asking God to use us to be the example of the Good News; To give this Good News to others. It is said that hurt people hurt people. But it is true that healed people, help others heal, likewise forgiven people, forgive others. Transformed people, transformed by the love of God, should love others as freely as they were loved by God.
To be clear we are to do this, to GIVE the Good News to others, in a healthy, non-codependent way. We are not called to force this on others, we must remember that God is a true gentleman. He did not force Himself on you. He gave us free will to decide. We should share the hope we have in Jesus Christ with love and gentleness.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. -1 Peter 3:15
We can share our hope by giving our testimonies to anyone in need of hope.
A few years ago, when I became a new believer, I heard about apologetics, which is basically reasoned arguments justifying doctrine. At the time I thought this was so important, and I guess it is. But in reality, I do not need to know the address of specific verses, or be able to quote the Bible verbatim or have a degree in theology to defend my faith. I know who I was. A sinner. A broken, angry, prideful, idolator. I was driven by greed and pride and sinful behavior. I was in need of a Savior. I gave my life to Jesus. I am a new person in Christ. I am sure that who I am now is not who I was. I can GIVE my story to people the Lord puts in my path. My story can GIVE hope to others. And every single one of us has a story, a testimony to the goodness of God.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says:
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
We can GIVE comfort to others. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
GIVE comfort to others by being an ear to listen, a person to help them build their network. Be the late night call for someone in distress.
Give them some encouragement. Give them some hope by seeing you walk out your Christianity. Give them a light at the end of their tunnel.
“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.” -Luke 8:16
You are all the lamp. Let all who encounter you, see you shining bright. Be a source, a vessel to bring the Good News to others.
Let your light shine before others. -Matthew 5:16
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18
Giving and serving is a thermometer of your love. Your works- your actions, not words- are proof of your love for God and others.
Be doers of the Word, not hearers only. This means do not just listen to the word, and to these principles, but actively apply them in your life, daily.
I want to leave you with this: You can give without loving. You cannot love without giving.
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
-L.A. XO