Believe It! It's No Joke

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

~John 3:16

Chuck, a forty-two year old man with Down syndrome, stood proudly in front of church and recited John 3:16. He and his friends had come from a nearby group home that Sunday to help the congregation learn more about disabled people. Chuck boomed out the verse loud and clear, bowing when he finished. More than a few people laughed heartily. That's when he stepped forward, stuck out his chest and insisted, "Don't laugh, I mean it! I really believe it!" It took the people aback. But Chuck made his point. This wasn't a fun game meant to entertain, and he wasn't a trained seal doing tricks. He was a grown man with a mind and a will to choose. He believed the gift of eternal life was serious, offered to him through the solemn sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His defense of the Gospel gave pause to the congregation.
                    
First Corinthians 1:27 says, "...God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." Perhaps Chuck "shamed" those who might have become complacent about the soul-riveting reality of their salvation - John 3:16 underscores that sin kills, hell is real, people are perishing, and Jesus Christ delivers. Chuck's mental retardation may have been his greatest spiritual asset. No intellectual smugness for him! Rather, with spiritual zeal, he insisted the church take both him and God's Word seriously.

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How about us? All our brain cells are firing and most of us don't wrestle with retardation. Do we believe - and act upon - the Word of God with all our heart, soul, and mind? Do people around us know we mean it? Do they take us seriously? Step forward. Be insistent. Let your assurance in God's Word show through your words and actions.

Lord Jesus, convict me when my intellect gets in the way of a pure, simple trust in you.




Blessings,

Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org





Taken from Pearls of Great Price.  Copyright © 2006 by Joni Eareckson Tada.  Used by permission.  Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530