A New Year's Challenge For You And Me

It is not uncommon, as one year clicks over to the next, for people to commit themselves to new patterns for living. Such New Year’s Resolutions typically focus on self-improvement themes: lose weight, quit smoking, or improved organizational skills.

This year why not make a resolution that will matter for more than a few days or weeks? Why not make a resolution that can last for eternity? Why not boldly share the gospel more than ever before?

It is a sad fact that most Christians did not share the gospel with anyone during the previous year. Many endeavor to live their faith or give to missions, but most Christians ignore passages commanding us to “go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mk 16:15) or to act as “a royal priesthood” and “proclaim the excellencies” of God (1 Ptr 2:9).

Do you realize that between last New Year’s Day and this one an estimated 56.6 million people took their last breath and passed into eternity? How many of them had friends or relatives who are Christian, but never shared the gospel? How many delivered pizzas, provided home repairs, or worked with Christians who were willing to be friendly and talk about every subject imaginable: football, the weather, golf, the latest unemployment rate, but never the gospel?

In the time it takes to read this sentence, about one second, two people died. Between now and tomorrow at this time, while you consider how to respond to this challenge, nearly 155,000 people will discover first-hand how Holy our God is. For many of them, the wrath which God has been storing up will begin to be poured out (Rom 1:18; 2:5-6; Heb 9:27).

There are many missionaries in the fields reaching the lost. There are many preachers boldly proclaiming God’s Word. You can find great men and women of faith who debate with the best and brightest minds foolish enough to challenge the authority of Scripture. However, none of those people have the ability to reach your friends, your neighbors, your relatives, or the people who come across your path every day. Who will reach them if not you?

For some time I have taken my car to the same auto shop. The girl at the counter, Kristine, is always pleasant. I usually have short exchanges with her as I drop off or pick up my vehicle. God convicted me recently that I was wasting opportunities to share the gospel. So the next time my truck acted up, I was ready. I had prayed for an opportunity, and I took along a few resources in case she had questions.

The first few minutes of our conversation were typical. I explained the problems that needed attention, and she thanked me for coming in. Next, I mentioned that the problems worsened the night before, as I drove to church. Then I asked “By the way, do you attend a church?”

This is a great question to ask. The answer gives you tremendous insight into the person’s beliefs and understanding of eternal matters.

Kristine, as it turns out, had a few bad experiences with churches as a youth and had only recently attended a couple services at the request of a friend. This naturally led to the next question, “You’ve gone to a few church services. What do you think happens when you die?” She explained that everyone goes somewhere. Now, most people believe life is not the end, but I wanted to know if Kristine had the right answer, so I continued, “Where do you think you will go?”

Kristine confidently stated that she would go to heaven, because she’s living a pretty good life.

This is one of Satan’s favorite and most successful lies. He used the same approach in the Garden of Eden that he uses today (Gen 3:1-5): convince people they can’t possibly understand what God’s Word means, there must be an alternative, another understanding, such as, live a pretty good life and you’ll go to heaven. This is a lie that Christians must correct, and we can only correct it if we ask and then speak the truth in love.

Kristine and I had a ten minute conversation about God’s standards, and how to know for certain what will happen when you face Him on Judgment Day. She soon realized that her destination was not heaven at all, and she was very concerned. I explained the hope that I have through repentance and faith in Christ, and I left her a book to read along with a gospel tract. Before I left, she thanked me for the conversation. The next time I go to the shop, I will follow up and see how she is doing.

I do not believe the statistics that claim 80% of those in America are Christian, but even if the real number is as low as 20%, if every one of those Christians shared the gospel with only five people, statistically every person in America would hear the gospel by the end of this year! Can you share the gospel with five people this year? Of course you can (1 Cor 1:5). The question is: Are you willing?

Don’t wait, because it might be too late. Think of the police officers gunned down in Lakeland, Washington, on November 29, 2009. If you had been in that coffee shop the day before, would you have shared the gospel with these officers? Because a short twenty-four hours later, it was too late.

Christian, you are like a doctor who knows the patient has terminal cancer. Don’t put off telling them about their illness because you might make them feel uncomfortable, or you’re not sure if you’re the right person. You have the cure. Share it!

I’m not saying that you should run up and down the street grabbing people, or screaming the gospel message, but when you have a conversation with someone, won’t you pray that the Holy Spirit will bring the strength and the right words to share the gospel? Won’t you pass out, or send out, a few gospel tracts? Aren’t you willing to start-up a conversation with a stranger and see how the Holy Spirit will use you, before it’s too late?

What New Year’s Resolution could make more of a difference for eternity?

What If Today Were August 8, 1945?

What if today were August 8, 1945 and you were a citizen of Nagasaki, Japan?

Only two days ago, on August 6, a nuclear bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. You stand in a city 198 miles away, perhaps a four or five hour drive.

Though hard to comprehend this new and massive weapon, you would know the stark realities of the destruction. In addition, you would have seen or heard of the warning pamphlets dropped by U.S. planes. You would have heard the allied radio broadcasts urging your government to accept an immediate cease fire. You would know that citizens of your city had been told to flee to safety or suffer a similar fate.

What will you do? You must decide.

You know the danger, but you can not know that if you put off your decision until Noon tomorrow, you could be one of the 30-40,000 killed when a bomb known as “Fat Man” detonates.

What if today, right now, you faced a similar warning? A warning you’ve seen on TV, heard on the radio, overheard people talk about? A warning that you now read with your own eyes.

Will you seek safety, or ignore the fact that tomorrow, or tonight, or one minute from now it might be too late?

The clear warning I speak of is this: “man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27)

When you die and face judgment, will you be innocent or guilty? God will rule on your fate based on the Ten Commandments (Rom 2:6-11) How will you do?

If you have ever stolen anything (regardless of value), you are guilty of theft (the eighth commandment). In God's holy eyes, you are a thief.

If you have ever told a lie, you are guilty of breaking the ninth commandment. In God's holy eyes, you are a liar. The Bible warns that all liars shall have their part in the Lake of Fire (Rev 21:8).

If you have ever looked at someone other than your spouse with lustful thoughts, you are guilty of breaking the seventh commandment. In God's holy eyes, you are an adulterer.

The Bible says that no thief, fornicator or adulterer will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10).

There are many choices you can make, but only one will provide safety from the destruction to come. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." and "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved." (John 14:6; 10:9)

Will you head this warning of your guilt and fate? Will you seek the safety of God’s Son, Jesus Christ? He paid for your sins. When Jesus died on the cross it was like a legal transaction where your crimes were paid in full. All that is required of you is to respond to these warnings. How? Agree with God that you have broken his laws and repent (decide right now to turn from all sin) and put your full trust in Christ to save you. He will forgive and forget your sin. Then read the Bible and do what it says.

It is up to you. You have been warned. You can repent and trust in Christ, or you can ignore the warnings just like tens of thousands of people who woke up in Nagasaki on August 9, 1945 but did not live to see the next day.

(Image is from pamphlet dropped in Japanese cities by the U.S. Office Of Warfare Information)

What Was Your Greatest Gift?

While listening to a sermon last weekend, the pastor stated that the grace which God offers to sinners is the greatest gift ever. I wrote it down; not as a sermon note but as an idea for a conversation starter.

As Christians we are reminded to not conform to the world (Rom 12:2) but we do live in it, and for good reason: the world is the source of the harvest! (Matt 9:37)

Those who are in the world know the world and it's comings and goings. They do not care about the things of God, they dislike God's Word, and they hate Christ. (John 17:14, 16; Matt 10:22; 1 John 3:13)

Discussions about the news and other timely topics can frequently lead to discussions about eternity and the gospel. Because of this, Christians should be aware of such topics and ready to use them to begin or continue conversations.

Such was the case at a local restaurant the other day. Our waitress was taking orders when one of the men at our table mentioned Christmas preparations. I asked the waitress, "Kristi, speaking of Christmas, what is the best gift you've ever received?" She stopped and thought. After a moment I said, "Think about it, then let me know what you come up with."

One thing I learned from bold men of God like Mark Cahill and Tony Miano is that an interaction with a lost person should be a conversation, not a presentation. If your intent is to get through a checklist of the gospel, then do you really care about the person or getting another 'notch' on your gospel-gun?

I was looking forward to what Kristi might come back with, to continue our conversation, when she appeared with refills of water and iced-tea. She looked at me and told me of an item she had received many years ago. I asked her to think about gifts that last longer. I explained that as a boy I really wanted a toy ray-gun, but after a year or so I no longer placed any value in it and had moved on to wanting something else. She went off in thought.

When she next returned, she had a big smile on her face. "My dog! I bought my dog, as a gift for myself, and I love him." She showed me his photo, told me about his habits, and explained the breed. We discussed dogs that each of us had owned in the past, and then I said, "Even though you love your dog and he's been a great pet, I was wondering if you could think of anything that might last for eternity?" This led to a conversation in which I learned of her Catholic training as a young girl, and her disillusion with religion. I was able to explain that I'm not religious and was not trying to push any religion, I simply wanted to explain what I thought the greatest gift is, as described in the Bible.

We had a brief discussion of sin, our need for salvation, the Holiness of God, and the simple steps required of us: repentance and faith. Before leaving I gave her a copy of "One Heartbeat Away" by Mark Cahill, along with a note and an email address for her to send questions to me.

Between now and Christmas approximately 2.1 million people will die. Many of them will stand before God and suddenly understand how Holy He is and how wrong they were to believe the world's lies and false hopes. They will have eternity to think about their rejection of a God who stood ready to forgive. Before that happens, are you willing to put aside your pride, your shyness, and your fear of rejection to share the gospel and give these people something to think about while they still have time?

Today is the day of salvation, now go and plant a seed!

Proof That God Exists

Don't take my word for it... take this test for yourself.