My wife and I were talking the other day about the sad state of affairs we are currently
experiencing in our society. She then made a comment that really stayed with me. She said, “We evangelized the world but forgot about the person next door.”The United States of America
has produced and sent more missionaries abroad than any country on earth. We have
witnessed to the world about Jesus Christ. We have shared that He is God in the
flesh and will save any and all who come to Him to be saved. We have shared
John 3:16 to all who would listen,
“For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
We have repeated Paul’s words
of Romans 10:9,
“That
if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Neither have we neglected 1
Corinthians 15:3-4,
“For
I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ
died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that
he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
Is it possible however that
we who sat in the pews left this responsibility to those who were pastors and
missionaries and excluded ourselves? I know for a fact that many people feel
that “this is what we pay the preacher to do.” Was Jesus talking to just His
disciples when He said?
“Go
therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, “teaching them to observe all
things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end
of the age.” Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
I am not trying to be
critical of the Christian in the pew. Most of us, including me, are the
Christian in the pew. Besides, there is no point in crying over spilled milk.
What’s done is done. Unfortunately, what has happened to our society? In a
nutshell, we have become a pagan society. Maybe our downfall would not have
been as swift and sudden if we had been more diligent.
As I’ve often stated before, I
am of the age that I can easily recall when our society was not inflicted with
the trash and perversions we are constantly bombarded with today. Much of it is
in the churches! We have turned our backs on God and it shows.
For example, did
homosexuality exist when I was young? Yes, it did, but it was kept in the
proverbial closet. Were babies murdered via abortion? Unfortunately, they were,
but it was illegal. Even television shows were once without profanity and
sexual innuendoes.
The few examples I have
mentioned, as you well know, are just a drop in the bucket of the anti-God actions
of most of our society today. Those of you who are older will more readily
agree.
Even though our world is
falling apart, there is no reason for us to do so. Jesus said this time would
come just before His return. So, what should we do while we wait for His call?
Maybe we who are His, need to
repent, get in the Word and witness … starting with our own family. CAUTION: We
don’t need to hit people over the head with the Bible, but instead ask for the
Lord’s guidance in how we should witness to each individual, starting with …
letting our own light shine.
“Let
your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify
your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:6)
Many Christian folks are shy
and insecure about actually talking to someone about their need to be saved, but
we can all fulfill this word from Jesus about letting the lives we live for
Jesus speak for us.
Another area I think is often
overlooked is prayer. Prayer is a powerful tool that is often overlooked unless
we are in trouble, but notice the following verses.
“And
whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified
in the Son. If you ask anything in My
name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)
““You
are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants,
for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you
friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You
did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and
bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever
you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” (John 15:14-16)
“And
in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you
ask the Father in My name He will give you. “Until now you have asked nothing
in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”” (John 16:23-24)
“In
that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the
Father for you;” (John 16:26)
Many folks have become embittered
because God didn’t answer their prayer, but let us understand right up front, God
is not a genie in a bottle waiting to serve our wishes and then be put back in
the bottle to await our next demand.
This is very important. If you
are not a child of God (a true Christian) the only prayer He will answer is
your plea to be saved by the precious blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christian, think about this:
· Sometimes God will not answer our prayers (for various
reasons)
· Sometimes God will answer our prayers (if they are in
His will)
· Sometimes God will answer our prayers, but we just don’t
know it
Matthew 6:10, Matthew 26:42
and Luke 11:2 contain three words that are critical. The three words are, “Thy
will be done.” Are we praying that HIS WILL BE DONE? Also, John 15:14-16 (above)
shows us that we need to be in his will by obeying Him and producing fruit in
our lives. THEN, “whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
When you and I are in His
will, our prayer requests may be totally different from what they were before. Is
it possible that we could pray and pray for someone to be saved and they never
come to Jesus? Yes, it is, but rest assured, they will have every opportunity a
holy God can provide, to come to Him and be saved. On the other hand, I am aware
of many who have come to the Lord, been saved, and have done so because of prayer.
We have all heard the occasional comment, “I sure never thought they would get
saved,” but they did.
The Lord Jesus expects us to “Go
ye therefore,” into our own home, to our neighbor, our co-worker, our friends,
and then into the world. The Gospel didn’t start in Europe and proceed southeast
toward Israel. No, it started in Jesus’ home town, then went out from there
until it reached you and me.
Grant Phillips
Email: Phillip5769@twc.com
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html
