Are You Doing It?

How do you feel about discipling someone for Jesus? Have you saved any souls for Jesus since you've been a Christian? Have you ever explained the gospel to someone? Or, do you think that it is the pastor's job? How do you see yourself in the game of life as a Christian? Who are you? And, why are you a Christian?

I remember the time when I didn't know nor understood what it meant to be a Christian? I didn't understand what my purpose in life was? Nor what I was supposed to do, and what Jesus expected of His followers? It was a good idea to know that I was saved because I had accepted Jesus in my life. But, was it all there was to it?

After pondering about this statement of Jesus that not everyone who says Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of His Father in heaven, I started to realize that there was something missing in my belief system (Matthew 7:21). Did I know and understand what the will of the Father was? I also began to realize that I haven't been seeing any of the manifestations of the Spirit as promised in Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-20 around me as I should.

My understanding is that if I am a disciple, then I should be as involved as a pastor and not be satisfied to only sit in a pew week after week hoping to be blessed and never blessing no one myself. I became completely unsatisfied with church and my life as usual. Questioning everything around me took me on, what I think, a search for the Master. Little did I know that it was Him that was getting the lukewarmest away from me. It was Him looking, probing, making me realize who I am in Him by revealing my heart to me and changing my desires for better and greater things in Him. For only Him can put an unquenchable fire in the heart that He only can satisfy.

In following the footsteps of the first Christians who when persecuted and scattered went everywhere preaching the Word of God, I decided that I will try to evangelize people around me whether I know or don't know them, and more so whenever I feel a pull in my heart to do so (Acts 8:1-4). It is fun at times and very awkward at other times. I think that it is a most challenging thing to do because of the rejection and the animosity one encounters when talking about Jesus to others at times. Sometimes I get to start a great conversation with someone who already knows the Lord and make myself a new friend. At times I know that when I sow the Word as a seed, it was up to the Holy Spirit to work on it. And at other times, I know that I was instrumental in winning a soul for Jesus. I am doing it because I am reminded of the word of Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 of himself planting, Apollos watering and of God giving increase.

It may sound strange to some but, as a disciple, I feel that I should always try to recruit someone for the Army of the Lord. I remember when one of the Navy recruiters convinced me to sign-in for the Navy after telling me again about all the wonderful benefits that were available. I've already had various talk with many recruiters and others in the military, researched about the Navy myself, knew about the benefits, but the day I say “yes” was very important because of that person's special approach in my life at that time.

What is better than talking to people about some of the benefits of God's kingdom and what it means by being a child of God? A couple of them especially very close to heart like Jesus pardoning their sins and saving their souls from hell so they can always be with Him; explaining why Jesus came on earth, and what He has done on the cross for them, while hoping that the Holy Spirit is working in the people's heart so they can receive Jesus. Is there anything wrong with that?

You never know what will happen. Whether someone will rededicate his/her life to Jesus, or you will be the one reaping the harvest of someone else's field and hear that “yes, you can pray with me”. I remember the first time a Buddhist person said the prayer of salvation with me. It was exhilarating! To me it was very special because I thought to myself, Oh Jesus, this time we got at least someone who was serving another god and not You! But in reality, most people are serving their own idols which are other gods that make it really hard for them to accept the Lord, the real God.

You are the salt and the light of the world. Can people taste your flavor, and is your light bright enough? Remember that as a Christian, and as a disciple you are to do the works of the Father by being the salt and the light of the world in order to win souls for the kingdom. Are you doing it?

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus