If Jesus Couldn't - Why do we think we can?

We often struggle to find ways to bring a loved one back to the Lord once they are engrossed in worldliness. We think there must be something I can say or do that will make them return. I need to learn this rule of thumb; you can't help someone until they want to be helped. Do you realize that even Jesus can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped? When Jesus talked to the rich young ruler whose possessions were separating him from God, he was told what he needed to do, but he walked away sorrowful from Jesus ( Matthew 19:22). Why didn't Jesus make him turn his life around? Jesus walked with Judas, lived among him and was betrayed by him. Jesus couldn't make him do right. We are placing a huge weight upon our shoulders which we cannot bear with peace if we think it is our place to make someone change their life. We can't. If Jesus couldn't - why would I think I could?

What we can do is allow their conscience to work on them ( Hebrews 10:22). We can also live right before them to allow our righteousness to serve as a reminder of God ( 1 Peter 3:1-2). We can leave it up to God. God promises to chastise those He loves ( Hebrews 12:3-11). We can pray for them. We must balance these principles with Galatians 6:1 where we are commanded to restore an erring brother. Also, James 5:20 speaks of us turning a brother from his sin. We must make direct and prayerful efforts to restore our brothers when they fall, but we must also realize we have our limits. We can't help someone who doesn't want help. This is a time for us to do all we can and then place it in God's hands.

Perhaps you have read Isaiah 40:28-31 many times. Have you ever considered its comfort as we prayerfully wait for a loved one to return to God?

Isaiah 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

As you wait for God's chastising to prick the conscience of your loved one, pray, encourage without nagging, and mount up with wings like eagles. There is much good to do. There is much we can't do. Let's find peace with all this and walk and not faint.