Go Ye Therefore
Go Ye Therefore
By Grant Phillips
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 four words that are critical. The four 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.