This article appeared in the December 30, 1973 edition of "Reminders", Volume 9, Number 52 published by the Moundsville church of Christ in Moundsville, WV. It was written by Dudley R. Spears.
"It won't do any good." This is the usual response made by many of us when we are asked to invite someone to hear the gospel preached or when we consider trying to talk to someone about religion. This is wrong; dead wrong! It will do good. It can do no other than good because it is what God requires. The reason behind this erroneous response is that we think God requires results from us in the form of numbers and such like.
The only thing required of us is effort and lots of it. Paul said of the establishment and growth of the church at Corinth, "I planted, Apollos watered and God gave the increase." (First Corinthians 3:6) Planting and watering are the duties of God's children; increase is God's business. If we are diligent about our work God is faithful in His.
Far too often we get discouraged when God does not give us the increase we expect. Thus, we become lax in our efforts to plant and water the seed, the word of God. But to cure this evil, Paul by the Spirit wrote, "And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:9)
The next time you have the opportunity to sow some seed, or water the seed, don't think of it in terms of wasted effort just because you think it won't do any good. Work and teach and invite and encourage everyone with whom you come in contact to be what the Lord would have them be. Remember, "Therefore, my beloved brethern, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (First Corinthians 15:58)
No comments:
Post a Comment