I've been doing a new Bible study alone. One of the things in my walk that I struggle with is having a regular quiet time. I purchased a devotional study book several months ago and have successfully avoided using it for quite a while. I've finally started to spend time every in devotion. The book is by Beth Moore and is called Jesus; 90 Days With the One and Only (a whole different point here is that I really am trying to make my devotion very, very JESUS focused).
In true Beth Moore fashion she's always asking questions that require a lot of self-examination along with scripture examination. This morning the question that got to me was "What would be different or would have to change about God's "good news" if it wasn't intended for "all people"?"
The whole thought process that this question initiated brought me back to Rob's sermon this past Sunday. Rob (my church's youth pastor) was substituting for our regular senior pastor and I always enjoy it when Rob preaches. His sermons are direct and insightful and I always walk away from them with things to ponder. Rob's lesson was from 2 Peter 2:9 which says "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light." (NAS)
Rob was talking about this verse as a call to evangelism and he said a couple of things this past Sunday that really stuck with me. Namely that in comparing ourselves as witnesses to the Levitical priesthood we see evangelism in a new light. Rob said that in addition to talking to people about God we need to be talking to God about people! The priests were intercessors on behalf of the people--Christ is OUR "high priest" (Hebrews 4:14) who intercedes on our behalf-- and as a "royal priesthood" WE are called to intercede on behalf of others throughout the world. THAT is an important part of our evangelism. We should be pleading FOR souls rather than WITH souls!
Sometimes (shoot, MOST of the time) I am a very judgmental person. I have to admit that I haven't been particularly touched by the suffering in Haiti, mostly because I think the class of victim that has been created there has contributed greatly to WHY they're suffering. Corruption and laziness have created the situation even more than the earthquake itself did (as evidenced by the difference between what happened in Haiti and what happened in Chile). BUT (and this is the point I'm going for here) Beth's questions today have made me see that attitude on my part is not Christ-like. Christ came for ALL people (Luke 2:10), NOT the deserving. If I qualify who I have mercy and grace on then I diminish God's "good news". It is for everyone, not just those who "work hard" or "deserve" it or "help themselves". If I don't present the good news as God intends it then I become guilty of unforgiveness and am just like the slave in Matthew 18 who did not forgive after being forgiven.
Rob's sermon also brought me back to the lyrics of one of my favorite Wayne Watson songs:
We work the field of souls
together you and I.
Some fields are blooming now,
other fields are dry.
We are not the same
but our differences aside,
We will work the field of souls,
together you and I.
One is off to foreign soil
To work a distant land.
While another labors close to home
And holds a neighbor's hand.
Tell me who has served the Father most?
And who has labored best?
That life devoted to our God,
That devotion will be blessed.
One shouts the gospel in the street
for everyone to hear.
He's bold to everyone he meets,
and the word is loud and clear.
While another cries alone and prays
in silence on her knees.
Before the throne day after day,
where human eyes don't see.
We work the field of souls
together you and I.
Some fields are blooming now
and other fields are dry.
We are not the same,
but our differences aside,
we will work the field of souls.
Together you and I.
SERIOUS food for thought today!
