By Jim Miller
Gray, Maine
Since the founding of the church in the first century those who believe in God and His commands have been persecuted. It should really come as no surprise that this continues today. All down through history nations have risen and fallen because of sin and lack of love for God and His word. These facts can not be denied. We face the same thing that all other Christians have faced down through the years.
Hosea put it aptly when he recorded in Hos_4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
All through history it has been mans lack of knowledge that has kept him in bondage to sin. Whether it is a willful lack of knowledge or as history has at points shown such as the times we know as the dark ages a forced lack of knowledge not knowing the will of the Creator and following it has a very damning effect on ones soul.
Man today has no excuse for not knowing the will of God, so today the lack of knowledge is it that of willful ignorance. In the great commission the command to go and preach the gospel to every creature was given by our Lord. When the first century Christians were persecuted and spread abroad they took Gods word with them and spread it wherever they went. Many over the years have given their lives to spread the word of God to others and they did so willingly knowing that they had a duty to God and their fellow man to teach Christ and him crucified.
Today we seem to have this idea that people know where the church house is if they want to come let them. Now, I ask you is that what Christ meant when He commanded us to "GO"? Today we hear so many people say when asked a question "Let me ask my preacher I will get back to you" when the scriptures teach us that we are to be ready at all time to give an answer 1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: In order to give the right answer we must be as the Berean's Act 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. We MUST also study and do so diligently 2Ti_2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Friends the false teachers of this world are so successful because they go out and they spread these damnable doctrines to as many as they can. They are relentless in foisting their beliefs on others. How much more can we do by being as diligent with the truth of Gods word. We know not all will believe but that doesn't give us and excuse for not planting the seeds of truth. James said Jas 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
You must realize that it is YOU that must GO. It is YOU that MUST study. It is you that Must have an Answer. The preacher can't do it for you. The elders can't do it for you. Your neighbor can't do it for you. God has called YOU out of darkness into the light so that you might glorify Him.
We are told by scripture that we will one day give account of the things we have done in this life both for the good and the bad. I do not know about you but I want the good to far out way the bad in my case. Many times I have to stop and ask am I doing all I can do? I know that no matter how much I study I will never know it all but can I give an answer to those who ask? Am I willing to take time to study with others even though I might want to do something else? Is what I want in accordance with the will of God?
I want you to think about this…… If we spent more time in prayer for others and less on the things we think we need how much closer to our God would we be? If we spent as much time helping others in whatever way we could how much time would we have to worry about the things we think we lack? If we spent as much time taking the Gospel out of the church house to the world how much TV would we watch? If we spent more time in study how much richer would we be for it?
Friends please set not your hearts on the things of this world for they will one day perish. Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Php 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Oh what a great promise that is knowing that we can have peace in our hearts and minds. But, can we have that peace if we are not willing to fulfill our duty to God? Just knowing there are many out there who are lost and gone astray should concern you deeply. It is my prayer that you will think on these things and make the proper application. You and I must ask the question in all seriousness How many souls will be lost because we failed to do all we could?
