9-28-15<\/p>\n
A tweenager I have gotten to know was saddened by the recent death of her grandfather. As a young Christian she displayed a concern that many youngsters otherwise would not feel: \u201cI never had the chance to tell him about Jesus!\u201d I thought of this yesterday when a neighbor told me he invited another neighbor to church one Wednesday evening; unable to attend, the fellow was invited on the following Saturday night. But the next morning the invited guest, in his 30s, was found dead in his living room. My friend had not inquired of the guy\u2019s \u201cstanding with the Lord,\u201d but church would have been a time to open such conversation.<\/p>\n
These are poignant stories. Timing \u2013 as with so many things in life! \u2013 can be excruciating. <\/p>\n
In significant matters like a person\u2019s relationship with Jesus, making the simple but profound decision to accept Christ and be secure about eternal salvation, to be a child of God and a citizen of Heaven, we all have responsibilities. Jesus commanded us to share the Gospel. Not just with grandfathers and neighbors, but to all the world.<\/p>\n
Yet, we can only do so much. It is my opinion that the contemporary church either makes too little of evangelism \u2013 diluting the Gospel \u2013 or too much, trying to \u201cseal the deal\u201d with professions of faith, signed pledges, and obligatory testimonies. We need to remind ourselves that our commission is to share<\/span> the Gospel; it is, by holy design, the work of the Holy Spirit to convict, lead, and witness to people\u2019s hearts. <\/p>\n Do we think the Holy Spirit inadequate to do the work Jesus foretold?<\/p>\n We should not stop coming alongside those new in faith, of course not, but we do not seal those deals, so to speak. We cannot. Individuals do, and only by the prompting and power of the Holy Spirit of God.<\/p>\n Further, to be humble about our roles can give us a clearer picture of things we are doing\u2026 and not doing, as Christian servants. That young lady who cried, \u201cI never had the chance to tell Grandpa about Jesus!\u201d did not mean she never had the chance. Nothing against her sincerity or naivet\u00e9 \u2013 we all share such grievous regrets of timing \u2013 but what happened was she never took the chance<\/span>. She had the chance; we all do. My neighbor took the chance by issuing an invitation. But, wow, what a reminder.<\/p>\n Right here, I only want to expand on this in a different way. You might be reading this, and might be someone who does not buy in to the act of \u201caccepting Jesus,\u201d or the importance of a \u201cdecision.\u201d You might not be comfortable or consider it your role to \u201cshare the Gospel.\u201d Or to respond to such forms of outreach. You are not alone, even in this land of many churches.<\/p>\n Well\u2026 then, this<\/span> message is for you<\/span>. You might not share; you might be shared to; you might dismiss the importance of \u201caccepting Christ.\u201d Maybe you have heard about such things, but never actually heard them directly. You are hearing now. Stick around for another paragraph or two.<\/p>\n We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. A just God cannot accept sinners determined to reject Him. As humankind discovered its inability to please the Lord by offerings and works, and our \u201cclean\u201d garments were still as filthy rags, God provided the Perfect Offering. He sent His Son to earth to teach and heal and preach and inspire \u2013 to save \u2013 a lost world. Christ became the sacrifice for our sins, that whoever believes in their hearts He is the Son of God; and confesses that God raised Him from the dead, shall be saved.<\/p>\n To this statement of Good News, if you add anything, that is foolish; if you subtract anything, that is dangerous. The Gospel invitation, condensed.<\/p>\n Now you have heard it. Whether you live a few more days or a few more decades, the Gospel has been shared with you. Next? Search the Bible; and pray to God for His Spirit to come into your heart\u2026 and your mind, that any questions you have will be answered. It is a prayer that never goes unanswered!<\/p>\n \u201cTiming\u201d still is important. This might be the last day of the rest of your life!<\/p>\n + + +<\/p>\n We might stray, we might feel alone, we might think we are far from the Shepherd\u2019s sight, or care. But remember the Parable of the Lost Sheep. Ninety-nine sheep might be in the fold, but He will seek out the one who is lost. This song was written by Elizabeth Clephane; melody by Ira Sankey, 150 years ago. Sung here by Dean Phelps.<\/p>\n