Bring the Gospel, as Long as it Takes

How long does it take to bring the gospel to others? Well that is a bit of a loaded question and the only answer that I can think of to get it right would be, as long as it takes.

“²⁸And Agrippa said to Paul, ‘In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?’ ²⁹And Paul said, ‘Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.’” — Acts 26:28-29 (ESV)

Paul was doing the work of Christ and time was on his side. Whether he would work for a few minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, etc… he was putting in the work for the LORD. I have to be willing to do the same. I have to put in the work and not give up at the first sign of challenge or resistance. I have to take the time that is needed to get the job done.

Now, there are times when my work is not to get to the end. My role may only be to set the stage or plant the seed and someone else will be there to cultivate and complete the work. I think of those that lead at camps. Their role is to get things started and then someone else continues the work. When kids attend sports camp, they are introduced to drills to build their skills. The same is said for those who attend band camps, or adult who go on a Walk to Emmaus. The purpose is to begin the process and then take it further when you go away or back to where you come from. The work is completed later and the result is realized.

There are also times when the work is not completed due to the person receiving was not receptive at all. Even Jesus did the work and the receiver was not willing to accept and simply walked away, as seen below:

“²¹Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ ²²When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. ²³And Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.’” — Matthew 19:21-23 (ESV)

Jesus did not pursue the man for it was clear that he was not willing to do that which was necessary to belong to Christ. The man was not receptive and walked away. I have to remember that there are times when it is the right thing to do to simply move on and not through good work after a situation that will not reach the end. I have to go back to the idea that maybe my role is to simply plant the seed and allow the work to be completed later when the receiver is ready and willing to accept.

And all of this brings me back to the idea of taking as long as it takes when bringing the gospel. I have to not give up, but understand when I am speaking to the wall and not being received. As the questions keep coming, I continue providing answers. When the other is not questioning and they are arguing, then the time has come to allow for others to complete the work. Questions are asked by those seeking answers and knowledge. Arguing comes from those who have already decided and are simply wanting you to capitulate to their way of thinking and anything said contrary to their thought is rejected or not heard. I have to remember to stick to the gospel and take the lead of Paul and continue as long as it takes when those receiving are receptive.

What is your timeline for bringing the gospel? Are you saying the words and moving on? What if you were to stay with those who are receptive for as long as it takes to complete the work?

Christians Belong to Christ

What a morning for me as I read and study. I have been a Christian for a good number of years and have followed Him and the direction He had for my life. This morning I was reminded of something that I frankly had forgotten and may have just put in the back of my mind as I have traversed this world, I “belong” to Christ. Yes, I belong to Him, I do not just follow Him.

“²⁵So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” — Acts 11:25-26 (ESV)

I want to take a moment to talk about this Saul noted above. Saul was the Jew persecuting individual who was converted to Christianity and went on to lead a life of discipleship for the LORD. At this point, he was not known to all as Paul (which we more commonly know him as). He was “new” to the field of apostles and yet, at this point in his life as he was teaching in Antioch, was referred to as a Christian along with others.

Now, the word “Christian” is used three times in the New Testament, and this is the first of them. Notice who it is referring to, those who were the followers of Christ and not just everyone who heard of Him or just seemed to go to church. Those who followed Christ were those who “belonged” to Him and were not just around some of the time. I have to take a deeper look at myself and determine if I am a follower who belongs to Him or someone who just says they are.

When Paul was converted to Christ, He went to study Him and the Word of God. He did not just jump in claiming to know all. He devoted himself to God to “know” Him and be able to spread the gospel as Jesus had. Paul (as Saul noted here) was only focused on the one thing and that was spreading the gospel of Christ and that demonstrated his belonging to Christ.

I look to my inward and outward self to see where I fall in the following of Christ. Am I just a person who is calling on Him in my time of need, or do I belong to Him to spread the gospel as Jesus had. Am I able to confidently say that I belong to Christ or am I here for others to literally “see”. Am I concerned with how God sees me or the way the world sees me.

As a Christian, it is my goal to follow Christ wherever He would have me go and do whatever He would have me do. I do for Him and not for me. I study to know Him and bring Him to others and not for my own enjoyment. I belong to Him and will do as I am instructed to carry out His work.

How do you see yourself in your relationship with Christ? Are you one who shows up to the events of Christ or one who belongs to Him? What if you were to fully belong to Christ and follow Him wherever He would have you go and do whatever He would have you do?

Sinners, Hearts at Odds

I hear all the time about the squirrels out there that bounce from item to item as they are distracted by the next shiny thing. It is our focus as man that gives us the ability to complete tasks efficiently and effectively. The challenge we have as man is that our mind is one place and our hearts are another and that puts us at odds.

“¹What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” — James 4:1 (ESV)

Here I see that we as man are sinners as we are not following one path, but multiple ones and that may be the thing that causes us to sin as we are not focused on the one thing in our heart that is righteous. It is the heart that should be directing me. I have long said and will continue to do so as relates to a career, “do what you love doing and find a way to monetize it”. Well, finding what you love requires the heart, and that is where we have to begin to remove that which is at odds.

“⁸Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” — James 4:8 (ESV)

Alignment and focus of purpose. I have to start with my heart and then align the rest of me with my heart. What better place to align than with Christ. I have to go through the process of purifying my heart to Christ. Once I have done so, I will have the opportunity to align the rest of me there.

I have been given the gift of salvation, and where that does not remove the sin from me, it does give me direction and alignment. I am still a sinner and always will be, but I have to do the work to avoid sin. It starts in my heart. I have to remember that I have been given this salvation and forgiveness and I have to embrace that salvation and forgiveness to move forward with God’s plan for me. I have to focus on Him and the work for Him and that will aid me in avoiding the sin that plagues me. I have to remain vigilant with the work and not allow myself to become idle so that my mind can wander into the desires of the world as it those desires that lead to sin.

“¹⁴But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” — James 1:14-15 (ESV)

I have to remember to stay aligned. I have to start with my heart that has been given to God. Once I am focused there, I must bring my mind into the work to guide my actions that are done with my hands. All of this will then work to remove the “at odds” in me and I will be more able to actively avoid sins. I will still sin, but my sin will not be active and will be greatly reduced and, I am still responsible for the repentance of those sins that I was unaware.

What is the status on your inner self? Is your heart, head, and hands pulling you in different directions? What if gave your heart to God and aligned the rest of you there?

Paul and Me, Sinners Saved by Grace

God sent His son Christ Jesus to save sinners. He came for me and the worst of us. Paul was one of the worst.

“¹⁵The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” — 1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)

I am a sinner yes, and all of my sins are egregious as all sin is. Whether little white lies or those that are in direct disobedience to the ten commandments, all sin is terrible in the eyes of God. At this moment, I want to talk about in the eyes of man. Make no mistake, I am not condoning any sin and know that God looks at things much differently than man.

Paul (at the time known as Saul) was one of the worst sinners in this world. He was a direct persecutor of those who followed and believed in Jesus as the Messiah. He tracked them down and stoned or killed them just for what they believed. In the eyes of man, Paul was an awful person.

“¹²I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, ¹³though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, ¹⁴and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Timothy 1:12-14 (ESV)

Jesus came for Paul and in His great wisdom and plan, provided the grace needed for Paul to turn to Him and become one of the greatest advocates and apostles to the gospel. Paul was seen as a sinner by God, no different than me. I have every opportunity to do the same or at least to the work that God has for me and in the eyes of man, am not as awful as Paul, so I should have even more opportunity.

Now I want to shift back to the grace of God and share my thoughts on His perspective. Paul and I are the same. We are both sinners who need the grace God has to provide. We both are not deserving, yet God provides for us despite our sin. Whether persecuting followers of Christ or lying to a neighbor, both of us find ourselves in the same room as sinners in need of grace.

God looks at the man (or woman) not the sin. He has to or else He would not be able to look at any of us. He takes us for who we are warts and all. He love us and came to save us despite what we have done and/or will do. Paul and I, where in the eyes of man are vastly different, in the eyes of God, we are the same. And that is what and where it counts. God loves me and came for me, the sinner.

What is your belief in the grace that is provided by God? Is one deserving of grace more than another based on the sins committed? What if you were to recognize that we are all the same in the eyes of God, sinners, and we all receive grace despite the sin we have or will commit, and we only need to accept?

The Law is for Sinners

“⁸Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,…¹¹in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.” — 1 Timothy 1:8 & 11 (ESV)

Except for those policy making outliers, the law is constructed for those who are sinners to adhere. I am a sinner and am therefore subject to the law in my actions in this world. I do have a caveat to go along with that as I am not subject to the law of man as I am a follower of Christ and am therefor held to the law of God instead. The law of God is greater than the law of man and when following the law of God, I will certainly follow the law of man except where it is at odd with God.

The law, as noted in verse eight above, “is good, if one uses it lawfully”. Lawfully in this instance I believe means in accordance with God’s law as noted in verse 11 above. As a sinner saved by grace and forgiven, I choose to follow the law “in accordance with the gospel”, and therefore will by extension follow the law of man. The law of man was made for those who need guidance and are not in line with God.

“⁹understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,” — 1 Timothy 1:9-10 (ESV)

I know what may be thought when reading the above and comparing those “crimes” listed to those who profess to be Christians, “so ‘Christians’ are not held to the same crimes as others, there are plenty ‘Christians’ that have been found guilty of those exact crimes”. Yes, it is true that Christians have been caught up in the crimes identified above, and for that they are to be disciplined for those crimes. Christians are sinners like everyone else. And yes, there will be those times when we fall to the traps of the evil one. The difference is that I know that I am a sinner and should be doing all that is within me to avoid those crimes knowing that they are outside the law of God. When I am following the law of God, I should not be actively committing those crimes, remember the ten commandments at a minimum.

The law is for sinners like me. No matter that I have accepted Christ as my savior or not, I am still a sinner and am subject to the law of this world, except where that law is at odds with God. I am held to the standard of God’s Law and as His law is greater than the law of this world, by following His law I will by extension follow the law of this world.

What laws are you following? Are you looking to be good according to the law of this world? What if you were to confess, repent, and accept Christ as your savior and follow God’s Law, knowing that His law is greater than the law of this world?

Sinners Yes, Works Don’t Do It

I can do all the works possible, and that will still not give me the salvation or justification in the LORD.

“¹⁶yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” — Galatians 2:16 (ESV)

I have to be careful with how I look at this. It would be easy for me to abandon all good works as they do nothing for me and my salvation is from my acceptance of the gift from Christ and the relationship I have with Him. It is not the works that does it, it is my faith in Him. But, I still have to do the works to demonstrate the love of Christ and to bring the gospel to others to ensure that they have the opportunity to accept the gift of salvation and create a relationship with Christ for themselves.

I cannot go back and think that doing the work will somehow give me more. I am already a sinner and therefor there is no way for me to get out of that. I have to move forward and not go back. But, Jesus will love me always. Whether I am moving forward or falling back, I will still be His. I will not be going back to being a sinner as I never left that identity.

“¹⁷But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not!” — Galatians 2:17 (ESV)

The works I do are as a result of my salvation and not a way to “buy” my salvation. I have to remember my faith in Christ and not look to the works to somehow give me more. I have already received the ultimate gift from Christ and that is in spite of my sin.

Christ died for me and it is my faith in the saving grace He provides that grants me a stay of death myself. My faith is what grants me the justification to be called a child of God. It is not the amount or gravity of the works I do that have any impact on my salvation. I do the works of and for Christ because of my salvation and not to gain salvation. Works don’t do it.

What works are you doing in the world? Are you out there in belief that somehow the more or greater the works, the less of a sinner you are? What if you just had faith in your salvation and did the works to demonstrate that salvation and not to somehow gain salvation as works don’t do it?

Christ Died for Sinners

Jesus came for the sinners and yes, He died for them/us. I forget that Jesus died for me, not as a righteous member of society, but as a sinner headed for a terrible death and eternity in hell.

I think about what it must take to die for someone. Putting one’s life on the line for another person is extraordinary. Fireman running into a burning building. Law enforcement running toward gunshots. Teachers walking into some of the inner city schools. All of these folks put their lives on the line for the good of others. And parents doing all they do to protect a child from any danger, like stepping in front of vehicles to save. Or, shielding a child from any harm at all. I know that I would personally do anything to protect my boys, even die in their place.

All of the above are acted upon for generally the innocent and we as those jumping in, do not even think about the danger to ourselves, we are only focused on the act of helping others. Jesus did that as well, only, I am not so innocent.

“⁷For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— ⁸but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:7-8 (ESV)

My jumping in to protect my boys and those others that rescue the innocent are exceptions to any rule, and that is what I see in verse seven above. It is verse eight that I am fully amazed at. Jesus came to this world to purposefully die for those that are not so innocent. I am a purposeful sinner. I am not the one who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, I am to blame. Yet, Christ came to die for me.

Jesus came for sinners like me. He came to bring me the gospel. He came to show me the way. He came to provide the opportunity for salvation (yes, provide, not force upon me). Yes, there are those counted as righteous who benefit from the arrival of Christ. And Jesus came to die for them as well as me,

“²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23 (ESV)

Yet, it is me, the sinner who is not specifically counted as righteous. Jesus came to die for my sins and knowing even that I will continue to sin even after receiving salvation. He knows me and yet He died for me.

I have to remember daily that Christ came for me and not just to chat with, but to die for. I am the sinner that Christ came for. And so are you. No matter what you have done, Christ knows and forgives you. He came to take your sin with Him on the cross, and he did not meet you in person. Christ chose you and me as the ones He would save through His sacrifice. He died for us.

What are your thoughts of Christ dying for you? Are you like me and cannot believe He would die for you, the sinner? What if you had the faith and hope provided by Christ through His death for you the sinner?

Jesus Came for Sinners

Other than for scheduled yearly checkups, I don’t go to the doctor. I don’t go to the mechanic to have them gaze at my vehicles. I don’t have plumbers come to the house to simply chat. Jesus did not come to this world to engage with the righteous.

“¹²But when he heard it, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ¹³Go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’” — Matthew 9:12-13 (ESV)

Jesus, when He began His ministry, did not go to the temple and find the most righteous there. No, He found fishermen and tax collectors. He found the men that would do the job for Him and not for the sake of the job. These men were sinners and had plenty to learn and were eager to do it. When Jesus asked, they just went without any ask of what was in it for them.

“⁹As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him.” — Matthew 9:9 (ESV)

Jesus came for the sinners not the righteous. That means He came for me. Yes, specifically for me. He knew me and that I needed Him and His salvation. He made sure that I had the opportunity to hear the gospel and that I would find Him as the answer to what I was looking. Jesus came for me.

Since Jesus came for the sinners to ensure they had the opportunity to receive the gospel, shouldn’t I follow His example and do the same. I know that it is easy to go on life and commune with those who are like me. But if Jesus met with sinners on a regular basis to bring them the gospel and salvation, shouldn’t I be willing to do the same. I should fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ and commune with those who are unknown to be.

I have to remember though the reason I am here and that is to bring the example of Christ and the gospel and not judgment or condemnation. It is easy to tell others that they are wrong and that they need what I have, yet that is not what Jesus did as the example of what right looks like. Jesus simply hung with them and demonstrated God’s love every step. He was the bringer of the gospel and offered salvation to all. There was no rebuke of those who would not accept, He simply moved on to the next opportunity. He came for sinners, but did not force them to get on the bus, as in the case with the rich young man who asked what it would take to have eternal life and was unwilling to follow through with the giving away of all of his wealth (Matthew 19:16-30).

Who is it that you commune? Are relegating yourself to only engaging with those who are like you? What if you recognized that you are a sinner, like everyone else, and brought the gospel to them as it was brought to you?

Teach Sinners Do Not Envy Them

Is your neighbor a sinner? Do they have things you feel you should have as well? Are they seemingly always on the winning side of things despite their sinful ways? The answer in short is yes. Mine are the same, and guess what, I am a sinner too. I wrote about being restored first and then teaching others sinners and this is an extension of that study this morning.

“³Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? ⁵You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” — Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV)

I know, the above passage is about judging others when clearly we are not in the position to do so. It was however the first passage I thought of when reading about envying others for what they have when I am similar to them and should first get my own house in order. I have to remember that I am just as sinful as others and I have to get right first and then, not judge others, but teach them. Not envy them but teach them.

“¹⁷Let not your heart envy sinners,

but continue in the fear of the LORD all the day.”

— Proverbs 23:17 (ESV)

Whatever it is in the world, someone else will likely have something that is certainly different and could be more than what we currently have. “The grass is always greener…” This is referring to the idea that what is over there is more than what is right here. Yet, once we get to over there, which then becomes right here, what was is now seen in a different light and become the envy, simply because it is now over there. I know that was a long and confusing circle, but here is the thing I think of, focus on what is in your own back yard and allow that which is not to exist with whose back yard it is currently in. As indicated in the verse above I have to “continue in the fear of the LORD” and not worry with what is not in that scope.

God provides that which I need. Whether it is provision for the sustaining of life here, or the tools and resources to do His work. I have to remember to look to Him for all of it and not look at what others have or the results of their actions and somehow creating a hole in my life. God has provides for His people and that includes me, the sinner. Other sinners are provided for based on their relationship with God. I have to focus on getting my relationship right with Him and then bringing the gospel to others. If those sinners I bring the gospel to see and recognize the need to accept the gift from God, then I have done my part and that will bring joy to the face of God.

What I have is enough. God makes sure of it and what others have are of no consequence to me and my relationship with Christ.

What do you see in those sinners around you that you are envious? Are you more focused on what they have as opposed to what you have? What if you were to simply “continue in the fear of the LORD” and allow Him to provide for you, as a sinner, and then you teach others His way?

Be Restored Then Teach Other Sinners

How often have I seen in the world that there are those working in the school system or in society that are teaching others of the right things to do and yet they are not doing them?

“¹²Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

¹³Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will return to you.”

— Psalm 51:12-13 (ESV)

I have studied Psalm 51 a number of times and have so much written in the margins, what else is there I can learn. Well, there is more. God’s Word here makes it clear that before I can or should be teaching others, I have to get my own spirit right. I have written in the margin of verse 12: “Time to get right with God and give all over to Him” and “In order for us to understand we need a right willing spirit and only God can give us that”. And then for verse 13 I have: “Spread the Word of God to those around you so they have the opportunity to experience the joy”. Yet, there is no connection here of the two verses.

Over my time of studying God’s Word intentionally for the past seven years, I have indicated that it is important to put all of God’s Word together in context and not just pick and choose what verses and passages apply to the moment. In all of that time I am sure that I have connected the concept of getting ourselves right before leading others to get right. Here I have to listen to my own indications and read and understand the totality of the passage so as to apply it properly in my life. I have to connect the verses.

I am to follow the teachings of Jesus in the Great Commission:

“¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

Here is my task that has been given to me by Jesus and it aligns beautifully with verse 13 above. I am to go and spread the gospel to all that I come in contact with. Yet I also should be willing to get right with God, leave all else behind and fully follow Him in all that I do as mentioned here in Matthew 19:

“²¹Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’” — Matthew 19:21 (ESV)

I have to first give up all else and fully follow the LORD and then I will be able to completely fulfill all that He has for me. I have to connect the getting right with God and then I should go and spread the Gospel. I have to be like the leper who was cleansed by Jesus.

“¹⁵Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; ¹⁶and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷Then Jesus answered, ‘Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? ¹⁸Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ ¹⁹And he said to him, ‘Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.’” — Luke 17:15-19 (ESV)

What is your condition as you come to God and going to do His work? Are you right with Him first before you go? What if you first focused on your relationship with God as a sinner and got your heart and spirit right, then go and spread the gospel to all others?