Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything – so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. (Titus 2:9-10)
If you were a slave you would think your top priority would be gaining your freedom. Paul is under no illusions about the hardships of slavery. Elsewhere (1 Cor 7:21) he tells slaves that if they have a chance to gain their freedom, they should do so. But Paul’s instruction here makes clear that the top priority of every slave should be to live in such a way that the Gospel becomes attractive to their master! Every other purpose in life, even one this pressing, is subordinated to the Great Commission. Paul instructs slaves that the salvation of those around them should be their top concern. How much more, then, should that be my greatest goal in life? At work, is my top concern to live such a godly life, to serve my bosses with such excellence, that they will be attracted to the Gospel? Lord, help me be that kind of employee.
Showing posts with label evangelism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label evangelism. Show all posts
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Compelling News
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. (2 Cor 5:14)
Paul was a man of action. When he thought that Christians were blaspheming God, he sought them out to persecute them. When he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, within a matter of weeks he was preaching and teaching about Jesus in the synagogues. For Paul, to know the gospel is to be called to action. If we know that Christ loved everyone enough to die for them, why would we not tell them? How can I know the truth and not share it with my friends and neighbors at least, let alone the rest of the world? Lord, forgive me for keeping this wonderful news to myself, when the whole world is literally dying to hear it.
Paul was a man of action. When he thought that Christians were blaspheming God, he sought them out to persecute them. When he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, within a matter of weeks he was preaching and teaching about Jesus in the synagogues. For Paul, to know the gospel is to be called to action. If we know that Christ loved everyone enough to die for them, why would we not tell them? How can I know the truth and not share it with my friends and neighbors at least, let alone the rest of the world? Lord, forgive me for keeping this wonderful news to myself, when the whole world is literally dying to hear it.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Like A Rising Tide
After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10)
And so it begins. After one generation of faithfulness came centuries of apostasy. The generation of those who were born in the wilderness and saw the conquest of Canaan were faithful to God themselves, but they failed to pass on that deposit of faith to their children. One day we who are alive today will all be dead and gone. Everything we have done to build the church and spread the gospel will come to ruin and loss if we fail to plant that spark in the next generation. And, sadly, throughout history that seems to be the rule, rather than the exception. It certainly was in ancient Israel, but even in the church age, don’t complacency and apostasy always seem to follow faithfulness and devotion? Revivals grow cold and worldliness seeps into Christian institutions. We are delighted when God is doing a “new thing” but it is because the old thing has failed. In this way history testifies to the reality of the Fall. The postmillennialists are wrong. No perfect millennial kingdom will ever arise in this life through the slow accumulation of godliness.
But there is still hope. Of course the Day is coming when God will banish all evil and glorify his saints, but that’s not all. There is hope for this age, too, because no matter how many times we falter God never lets us fail utterly. The Kingdom advances like a rising tide. Each wave slips back, but soon another one comes that reaches further inland. The gospel has advanced generation by generation throughout the whole earth and millions upon millions have been saved. Faithful fathers do raise their sons to know and love God. A remnant always remains and God does indeed do a “new thing” when darkness seems to be getting the upper hand. God never gives up on us. He has a plan and he will not be thwarted. Lord, I want to do my part in your plan. Help me to lead my sons into faithful manhood. Show me how to do my part in the advancement of your Kingdom in this generation and the next. Let me be found faithful. Amen.
And so it begins. After one generation of faithfulness came centuries of apostasy. The generation of those who were born in the wilderness and saw the conquest of Canaan were faithful to God themselves, but they failed to pass on that deposit of faith to their children. One day we who are alive today will all be dead and gone. Everything we have done to build the church and spread the gospel will come to ruin and loss if we fail to plant that spark in the next generation. And, sadly, throughout history that seems to be the rule, rather than the exception. It certainly was in ancient Israel, but even in the church age, don’t complacency and apostasy always seem to follow faithfulness and devotion? Revivals grow cold and worldliness seeps into Christian institutions. We are delighted when God is doing a “new thing” but it is because the old thing has failed. In this way history testifies to the reality of the Fall. The postmillennialists are wrong. No perfect millennial kingdom will ever arise in this life through the slow accumulation of godliness.
But there is still hope. Of course the Day is coming when God will banish all evil and glorify his saints, but that’s not all. There is hope for this age, too, because no matter how many times we falter God never lets us fail utterly. The Kingdom advances like a rising tide. Each wave slips back, but soon another one comes that reaches further inland. The gospel has advanced generation by generation throughout the whole earth and millions upon millions have been saved. Faithful fathers do raise their sons to know and love God. A remnant always remains and God does indeed do a “new thing” when darkness seems to be getting the upper hand. God never gives up on us. He has a plan and he will not be thwarted. Lord, I want to do my part in your plan. Help me to lead my sons into faithful manhood. Show me how to do my part in the advancement of your Kingdom in this generation and the next. Let me be found faithful. Amen.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Innocent Of Their Blood
Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. (Acts 20:26-27)
Paul was faithful to his calling. Heedless of personal danger and hardship he had faithfully "testified to the gospel of God’s grace" (v24). He gave all and risked all and he knew there was nothing more he could have done to bring others to Christ. And so he declared himself innocent of the blood of all men. What about me? I am afraid I have passed up many opportunities to tell others about Jesus. How many people needed to hear the Gospel from me and didn’t? What blood am I guilty of? Lord, forgive me for not proclaiming the Gospel boldly and consistently. Have mercy on those who could have heard it from me but didn’t. Teach me to be faithful to the calling you have given me. I want to be your faithful witness to the lost.
Paul was faithful to his calling. Heedless of personal danger and hardship he had faithfully "testified to the gospel of God’s grace" (v24). He gave all and risked all and he knew there was nothing more he could have done to bring others to Christ. And so he declared himself innocent of the blood of all men. What about me? I am afraid I have passed up many opportunities to tell others about Jesus. How many people needed to hear the Gospel from me and didn’t? What blood am I guilty of? Lord, forgive me for not proclaiming the Gospel boldly and consistently. Have mercy on those who could have heard it from me but didn’t. Teach me to be faithful to the calling you have given me. I want to be your faithful witness to the lost.
Friday, September 17, 2010
The Watchman
Son of man, I have made you watchman for the house of Israel, so hear the word I speak and give them warning for me. (Ez 33:7)
God tells Ezekiel he will hold him responsible for the lives of the lost if he hears a warning from God and does not give that warning to the people. He uses the analogy of the watchman on the walls. We, too, have the obligation to speak a word of warning to our lost friends. When I am silent I risk condemning them to eternal separation from God. My fear of embarrassment or rejection is no excuse for my silence. Fortunately, we don’t just have a warning, but also good news to share. Shame on me if I am ashamed of the gospel! I must be bold to speak for the sake of those I love.
God tells Ezekiel he will hold him responsible for the lives of the lost if he hears a warning from God and does not give that warning to the people. He uses the analogy of the watchman on the walls. We, too, have the obligation to speak a word of warning to our lost friends. When I am silent I risk condemning them to eternal separation from God. My fear of embarrassment or rejection is no excuse for my silence. Fortunately, we don’t just have a warning, but also good news to share. Shame on me if I am ashamed of the gospel! I must be bold to speak for the sake of those I love.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
One Heart at a Time
Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the Kingdom of God is within you.” (Lk 17:20-21)
The Pharisees were looking for an earthly kingdom, but Jesus said the Kingdom of God is invisible because it is within you. Jesus told Pilate he is indeed a King, but his kingdom is not of this world. In this age, God is not interested in setting up a theocracy in America or Israel or anywhere else. He desires to rule over the hearts of men. This type of kingdom advances quietly. One man shares the Gospel with another. A food pantry helps a woman feed her children. A teenager feels God’s call on his life. A grown man finally makes peace with his father. This type of kingdom is harder to build, too. Mass outreach has its place, but you can’t mount a campaign and conquer a city for God. Every heart must turn to him individually.
The Pharisees were looking for an earthly kingdom, but Jesus said the Kingdom of God is invisible because it is within you. Jesus told Pilate he is indeed a King, but his kingdom is not of this world. In this age, God is not interested in setting up a theocracy in America or Israel or anywhere else. He desires to rule over the hearts of men. This type of kingdom advances quietly. One man shares the Gospel with another. A food pantry helps a woman feed her children. A teenager feels God’s call on his life. A grown man finally makes peace with his father. This type of kingdom is harder to build, too. Mass outreach has its place, but you can’t mount a campaign and conquer a city for God. Every heart must turn to him individually.
God help me finally to do my part in the advancement of your kingdom. I have been limited in my vision. Help me see that in you all things are possible. I want to really believe that and live into it. “Thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven.” And in my heart as well. Amen.
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