God's Procedure

GOD’S PROCEDURE

If the lost are ever going to be saved, it is because someone cared enough to tell them about Christ. In Romans we are told, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:4) " ... and how shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard..." (Romans 10:14) Now let us examine a few verses that I pray will stimulate a desire for us to fulfill our responsibility.

1. John 4:35. The time is short before the Rapture comes.

“Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest, behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest."

2. Jonah 3:2.

“Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee." (2) "...Yet 40 days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown." (3:4b)

You and I never know how long a person has before they die. It may come suddenly or at an unexpected time; that is why it is so important to reach them now, before it is too late! At a previous pastorate, a teen-age boy was instantly killed when his motorcycle was run over by a bus. The teenagers in our church knew him well, but never expected something like this to happen. One day they were talking to him—a couple of days later they were standing at his casket. I asked if any of them had witnessed to him? Their heads went down, the tears began to flow, but it was too late. You see, we need to take advantage of every opportunity now, because tomorrow may never come for some.

3. Mark 16:15.

"And he (Christ) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

4. Ezekiel 3:18-19.

"When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul."

5. Matthew 28:19-20.

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

6. Luke 14:23.

"And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."

We need to realize, as Christians, that this old Earth is not a playground, but a battleground. Satan is seeking to claim all he can for eternal Hell, while Christ is seeking to save those that are lost. (Luke 19:10) The procedure is simple, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Should we not, in turn, take the Word of God and share it with the lost? I don't know about you, but I am sure glad someone cared enough to share Christ with me. Shouldn't I do the same for someone else? Since God gave Christ for me, I have a responsibility to give the Word of God to someone else. A very simple procedure. In conclusion may I recommend that you read Acts 20:19-27 in its entirety. The Apostle Paul (one of the greatest soul winners that ever lived) made these remarks while addressing the elders at Ephesus:

"Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations which befell me ... (19) And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you... (20) Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks...(21) That I might finish my course with joy... (24) Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (26,27) When we have fulfilled our responsibility, as Paul did, there is nothing more we can do. After Paul had preached in Corinth, he stated in Acts 18:6, "...Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean..."

We ought to finish our course here with clean hands, presenting the Gospel everywhere, every time, to everyone where the opportunity exists. Then we can look in full expectation to the return of Christ, and knowing it has been worth it all when we hear Him say ..

."...Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Matthew 25:23)