REALনমুনা

We Have the Antidote

By Josh Morris 

Imagine for a moment that you live in a place that is infested with venomous snakes. People around you are constantly dying from snakebites. One day you are bitten and when death is closing in, someone reaches down, picks you up, and gives you a drink. This drink contains anti-venom—not only does it save your life but also protects you from the future threat of snakes. It gives you permanent resistance to them. The same person also tells you where to find a lifetime supply of anti-venom and encourages you to share it with others.

If this imaginary scenario really happened, how unbelievable would it be if you were to walk around keeping the anti-venom to yourself? People would be suffering all around you and instead of helping them with the lifesaving anti-venom, the only thing you’d offer is that you’ve heard of another place that doesn’t have any snakes, which does nothing to relieve their current suffering.

This analogy shows how some Christians have chosen to live their lives. Many of us walk around knowing the antidote to death and rest contently knowing how great heaven will be, rather than bringing the kingdom of heaven to a world that is suffering right now. When people are living in hell on earth, they need more than a promise of a pain-free future—they need help now. In today’s passage (John 17:14–19), we see clearly that God sent us to earth just as Jesus was sent to earth. What was He sent here for? To save people—to freely pass out anti-venom!

Each of us has a mission here on earth and that mission is people. Who can you tell this week about the anti-venom that God freely gave you? Being in the world and not of it simply means you are a citizen of another land, and no matter how short your time is here on earth, you are fully present and engaged in what God is doing. We have been called here by God, so let’s focus on the task set before us and accomplish the Great Commission that Christ has given us. Share it freely, with everyone!

Prayer

Lord, thank You for saving me and giving me eternal life in heaven, but please help me remember that I’m still on this earth, and it’s my job to share Your love and truth so you can save others. Give me the courage to be bold and share the gospel with people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Memory Verse

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Proverbs 4:23–26 (NLT)