Evangelical Teamwork
So much can be learned from watching team sports. There is a structure that entails each player knowing his/her role. By carrying out each individual role, success is attained. In a game of soccer, for instance, no matter how eager a goal keeper may be to help his team, his well-meaning enthusiasm will be counterproductive if he abandons the goalpost he is to protect, and runs unto the field to assist one of his teammates in advancing the ball.
Knowing one’s role is crucial to the type of results that occur. The same applies to our role and partnership with our triune God when it comes to sharing the Gospel and being of a godly influence. There must be recognition of the fact that we are merely the vessels that share the Gospel, while the Holy Spirit is the Influencer; the one who brings convictions and changes hearts, by a supernatural transformation; that dispels darkness and illuminates the light of God into lives/hearts. We have no role in this supernatural transformation and should be yielded and submitted to the Holy Spirit so that we can be worthy vessels through which the Holy Spirit works; rather than uncooperative teammates that end up being a source of hindrance to the working and influence of the Holy Spirit. A lack of understanding and submissiveness on our part deters spiritual advancement rather than enhance it.
We must allow the Holy Spirit to function in His role. Spiritual manipulation (for example, “I drove an hour to come see you; even though I had an extremely busy schedule. I just hope my trip will be worth it and that I haven’t wasted my time), reverse psychology or putting people on guilt trips (for example, “I wonder what will happen when you’re in the hospital with no one coming to visit you and no one to look after your dog, with all this heavy drinking you indulge in) will only get you so far. It may be personally fulfilling for you, but unpleasing to God and fruitless, in terms of whatever seed you think you’ve sown. It is the seed that endures and in turn bears much fruit that we should all strive for. Jesus made the role of the Holy Spirit extremely clear:
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” John 16:7-8.
Our role in partnering with the Holy Spirit is to be of persuasion (when we speak and interact with others) and not authoritative (demanding conviction because of the time we feel we’ve invested in sharing the Gospel). In John 16:13, Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of truth.” Jesus further declared regarding the Holy Spirit in John 16:14 that “He shall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall declare it unto you.”
We share the Gospel of Jesus Christ not as a favor to the recipient of the Good News, but rather, as an act of obedience on our part; in fulfillment of God’s mandate to us to share the Gospel. In essence, when we don’t share the Gospel of salvation, we disobey God.
Let us all earnestly seek God in prayer for clarity and direction; so that He reveals to us any way through which we may not be cooperating with the Holy Spirit; let us humbly ask God to purge us of anything that is a hindrance to the work of the Holy Spirit in us and through us. May we all be found to be worthy partners in Ministry with the Holy Spirit, as we function daily in obedience to God’s calling upon our lives to be messengers of the Gospel. There remains urgency. Jesus mandates us to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16.