COME AND GO

Religions of the world are filled with seekers who long to know God. Each religion has its own "road map" which is intended to lead its followers into the presence of God. Every one of them provides information on obstacles to avoid (sins), and the roads to travel (works) to arrive at "his doorstep." By nature, man hungers for an understanding of, and a close relationship to, his creator. It is this innate hunger that has given Christians an opportunity to share Jesus Christ with them. But something has happened to that hunger; it isn't as strong and as widespread as it once was. I see two explanations for this. One, false religions (an oxymoron - all religions are false) have satisfied many seekers, and they no longer hunger for Him. Two, Christians have failed to provide a credible testimony for Christ.

True Christianity, a relationship with our Creator through faith in Jesus Christ, has failed for several reasons. Most born again believers know little about the Word of God, and therefore find it difficult to share it with the lost. Those who do have a fair knowledge of the Bible often get caught up in methodology in their effort to witness. They follow the "plan" and usually fail. They try Scripture memory, step-by-step approaches such as Corral Ridge's Evangelism Explosion, and more often than not, they simply invite the lost to church to listen to the "expert" and do not even attempt to share their faith.

Christianity's failure can be easily explained: its leaders failed to focus upon the entire command of Christ known as the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20: Mk. 16:15-16). Jesus said, "Go." Jesus said, "Preach" (the Gospel). Jesus said, "Baptize" (those who believe the Gospel). Jesus said, "Teach" (the doctrine of the Church). Jesus didn't say, Send," but He told His disciples that they would be witnesses to the whole world (Mk. 16:15; Acts 1:8) Once they had gone out, they were to duplicate themselves. Paul told Timothy to teach faithful men (2 Tim. 2:2). The Church is okay at getting people saved, but most remain babes in Christ (1 Cor. 3:1). Apparently even babes need to be instructed to take nourishment, or Peter wouldn't have had to admonish believers to hunger for the Word (1 Pet. 2:2).

Time is short. Billions are unsaved. The Church needs to act now. First, we must depart from iniquity that the world will listen to what we have to say (2 Tim. 2:19). Second, we should tell others what Jesus has done for us (Jn. 4:29). Third, we must continually pray for the Holy Spirit's direction and filling, so that we will go where He wants, and say what He wants. In order to do these three, we need to be so familiar with God's Word, that we know what iniquity is, we know what the Bible says about what He has done for us, and we know enough of the Word of God for the Spirit to bring it to our remembrance. It is great to say to others, "Come," but we must remember to say, "Go" as well. In between, the Church has a job to do.