Explaining Your Inexplicable Life

September 1, 2023

What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. Galatians 2:20 MSG

The life we have in Christ is so different than life without Him that Jesus Himself said it was the difference between darkness and light, between death and life. You have experienced that if you know Jesus. Jesus also described the peace we have as the peace that is beyond understanding, a peace the world cannot give. It seems impossible to explain sometimes, right?

But Peter rightly tells us (1 Peter 3:15) that when we live truly as Jesus followers, people will be attracted and curious about why we are as we are and will want an explanation. Paul was accomplished at explaining his life. He had been very religious and unsatisfied. Then he met Jesus. If you read the book of Acts, the story of the early church and first followers of Jesus or read any of the letters Paul wrote, you will see that he thought it through and was ready with a clear explanation whenever the opportunity arose. He told the same truth, but in every story he tailored it to the needs of the hearers.

Paul had been a religious man, once obsessed with keeping the rules, working his head off to please God. He even tried to force other people to do it. The Galatians were people who got sucked into the idea that they could live by lists and rules too. This explanation of his life was written to them specifically to address their needs.

God puts people in our paths who need exactly what we have to offer. When you are walking and living in His power and name, there will be people who come into your life who will be drawn there by your life. Be ready to share your story. You won’t have to be long or give every detail. Often God will just have you share a part of the story. God will help you connect on a personal level that will help them most. Your story is how he uses you to share His story. When you have no shame and no pride, just humble gratitude for how God has worked in your life for good, you will be delighted and overwhelmed at the way He uses you to attract people with hope and to be part of His ongoing mission to make disciples.

• How long has it been since you have shared a part of your story and God’s work in your life with someone? Are you maintaining contact? Perhaps you should casually but intentionally connect with them and ask them how things are going. Disciple-making is never “one and done.” It’s ongoing. Pray for opportunities and wisdom.