Nice Shoes but no Laces?
Remember the last time you bought or recieved a brand spanking new pair of shoes? Remember how fresh they were, and how comfortable they were as they conformed perfectly to your feet? Now imagine for a moment that your perfect pair of shoes had no laces. They shoes remain beautiful, however, none can argue that the comfort and overall level of satisfaction with the shoes diminishes. How can one get quite the same enjoyment out of the shoes without being able to lace them up? We can take this theory a bit further. Imagine a pro athelete such as a sprinter, or basketball player trying to run at full speed with unlaced shoes. No matter the strength, skill, or athleticism of that person, they will be hindered from performing at full capacity with unlaced shoes. You would agree right? By now you are wondering why I would have gone through such great lengths to illustrate such a simple point?
Well, my good friends I have made the point to say this; as a born again follower of Christ, perhaps the greatest commandment that He gave was to spread the good news throughout the land until all had heard the message. Attempting to live as for Christ, while failing to honor the great commission, is like running a marathon race without any shoe laces in your shoes. You might actually finish the race, but just how effective would your run have been? How much more difficult and dissatisfying would it have been compared with other atheletes running the same event? I would dare to say, much more difficult.
Christ commanded his disciples to "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." St. Mark 16:15-19.
The Lord placed this on my heart because I failed to remember this great, noble, and imperative assignment. I gave my heart to Christ many years ago. I still consider myself a babe in Christ, being well aware of right and wrong, sin and righteousness, but still relatively "new" in my faith walk. Still, I am without excuse. I knew what the Lord commanded of me, and by becoming one of his disciples I agreed to this great task and responsibility, yet have neglected to carry it out. At first, I was so full of the fire of God, that all I did was "witness" to others. The passion burned so greatly within me and the satisfaction of knowing that I was doing what pleased God was tremendous. Then, slowly the world and all of its sinful splendor began to pull at my heart. I got caught up in chasing money, women, and all the pleasures to be offered to me.
It only took for me to let my gaurd down briefly and soon I was swept away from the great commandment that I was to fulfill as a new man in Christ. It got to the point where I would witness to others occasionally, then less, and then eventually none at all. But wait! Isn't that what being born again is all about? Yes! It is not about simply gaining salvation and a new way of life for oneself. It is about everything except self. It is about living for God according to his word, commandments, and righteousness so that you can be a beacon, a witness, a light for the lost. This is exactly what I "lost" sight of. I became content with the fact that I had given my heart to Christ, and didn't focus on the rest of the agreement. Now, I look back and think of all those I could have reached, those that God may have specifically placed in my path for that reason. Yet, I let the opportunity to witness pass me by for lack of obedience or by allowing myself to get distracted. I had to repent to the Lord for abandoning the great commission. I left my nice new shoes unlaced.
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19
Time is winding down rather quickly, and we are heading towards a devastating climax of events. The return of the Lord is at hand, and though no man knows the day nor hour, we can see by the signs that it won't be long. Good friend, we can do nothing about our past, or those we failed to reach. However, we can make the best of our time remaining by doing all that we can to reach the lost with the good message of Christ. He offers the only way out of a fiery hell and eternal damnation to those who die in their sins unforgiven.
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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith. whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:9-10
Each day we have the chance to reach out to someone who needs the Lord; someone who needs to know that there is hope, salvation and a happy ending to an often difficult journey during this life. You can never force someone to accept what is true. You can never make the choice for them. You can only plant the seed as God commanded, and let them decide what they will. I urge you, good friend, to forget not the great commission as the Lord commanded. Reach out to others while you can. Surely, if someone had not done the same for me, I still may be wandering lost in misery and sin this very day. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
Thank God that He sent someone to tell me the good message of Christ and give me the chance to recieve the gift of salvation. Remember to "lace" up your shoes before you begin so that you can finish the race in victory! As always, truth is freedom, knowledge is power!
