*An audio version of today's devotional is available on Leading The Way's MY Devotional podcast.
Read John 4:1-42.
There are some in the church who say we should no longer talk about specific sins because we might offend someone. Now, I'm not suggesting we should go out of our way to offend other people, but the Bible is very clear: In order for there to be forgiveness and salvation, there must be repentance. Therefore, we must not be shy about the Truth. If we make excuses for sin—if we tiptoe around the difficult, hot-button issues of our day—we are not doing anyone any favors. We are, in fact, keeping the way of Christ hidden from people who are lost in spiritual darkness.
Do not get up from your seat by the well and walk away.
Jesus knew this. So, one day at a well outside a Samaritan village, He made things uncomfortable. That day, a woman came to the well alone. Ordinarily a Jewish rabbi like Jesus would have left the moment she came into view. Jewish men did not talk to unfamiliar women in public, and certainly not Samaritan women! Such an incident, if it had come to light, would have been scandalous. But Jesus loved the Samaritan woman too much to simply walk away.
As their conversation began, He brought up the one subject He knew she wouldn't want to talk about. Jesus was leading her into repentance, but not by scolding or shaming her. He knew she'd already had plenty of that in her life. Rather, He reached out to her, exposing her deep spiritual need.
With the Truth of her sin exposed, this woman went from being a pariah in her village to a herald for the King of kings. She ran back into town and proclaimed, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?" (John 4:29).
Brothers and sisters, all around you there are people you may have given up on, people you are not paying attention to, people you may think are beyond salvation. But many of these people are thirsting for the living water of Christ. Their hearts long to worship the true King. They are desperate for inner healing, salvation, and the forgiveness that only our Lord can give them.
Do not get up from your seat by the well and walk away. Stay and talk. And do not be afraid when the conversation turns to difficult subjects. Be kind. Be respectful. Be loving. But don't shy away from the reality of our sin and our need for a Savior.
Prayer: Father, forgive me for shying away from opportunities to share Your Truth in love and lead people to salvation—even if it's just one more step toward You. Empower me by Your Spirit to winsomely share the hope of the Gospel. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 'Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?'" (John 4:28-29).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon Look Who Moved Out, Part 3: LISTEN NOW
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