Message from Scripture: 3/24/2021

 Our message from Scripture today is John 4:35. “Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest” (John 4:35).

The difficulty in these words of Jesus to His disciples lies in the nature of the fields, the world around us. Scripture often uses the term world to refer to the sum total of the material universe. This is how John speaks of the world, under the influence of Satan.  Thus, the world as a whole has a problem with sin.  While this is a true statement, we must not let it discourage us, keeping us from teaching the truth of the gospel that saves souls.  Certainly, if we were responsible individually for trying to convert the world as a whole, the task would be insurmountable.  Most will reject the way of truth (Matt. 7:13-14), so how can we effectively reach the world?

Considering the world as a whole, we can’t; individually, however, we definitely can.  The power of the gospel works on each person’s heart.  While we won’t convert the world as a whole, we can reach people in the world, individuals whose hearts can be touched, who will hear, understand, believe, and obey.  Is this not how each of us came to Christ?  While 3,000 were baptized on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41), each of that number was pierced in his or her own heart, convicted, and through an obedient faith, individually converted.

Let’s not become discouraged because of the shape the world is in.  Do you know one person you can talk to about Christ?  This is how it begins, and how it’s done. Can that one reach another?  And that one another?  When we approach the world individually, we can make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, who can reach others.  “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ” (Col. 1:28). Have a great day today. God bless.

Robert