Perhaps the greatest challenge for Christian believers is to distinguish the difference between loving God, and loving godly principles - they are not one in the same. The proof is that it is possible to love godly principles without loving God, but not the reverse.
For centuries men and women have gone to the mission field, or to full-time ministry, with only a love of godly principles and the desire to profess them to the unknowing. While God is capable of using anyone for His purpose, His desire is that by our intimate relationship with Jesus, and through the power of His Holy Spirit, we would become shining points of distribution for His Gospel to all with whom we come into contact. (Matthew 5:16)
Today as we move among the world, will we be representative of a godly creed, or of a personal relationship with the Savior of the world? There is absolutely no power in a creed or doctrine, yet the power of Christ working through fools (1 Corinthians 3:18-20) who love Him evidences the greatest Gift ever offered to mankind. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)
Onward Christian soldiers!
Bob Benson
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from My Utmost For His Highest. . .
October 27
The Method of Missions
Jesus Christ did not say, "Go and save souls" (the salvation of souls is the supernatural work of God), but He said, "Go . . . make disciples of all the nations . . . ." Yet you cannot make disciples unless you are a disciple yourself. When the disciples returned from their first mission, they were filled with joy because even the demons were subject to them. But Jesus said, in effect, "Don’t rejoice in successful service—the great secret of joy is that you have the right relationship with Me" (see Luke 10:17-20 ). The missionary’s great essential is remaining true to the call of God, and realizing that his one and only purpose is to disciple men and women to Jesus. Remember that there is a passion for souls that does not come from God, but from our desire to make converts to our point of view.
The challenge to the missionary does not come from the fact that people are difficult to bring to salvation, that backsliders are difficult to reclaim, or that there is a barrier of callous indifference. No, the challenge comes from the perspective of the missionary’s own personal relationship with Jesus Christ—"Do you believe that I am able to do this?" ( Matthew 9:28 ). Our Lord unwaveringly asks us that question, and it confronts us in every individual situation we encounter. The one great challenge to us is—do I know my risen Lord? Do I know the power of His indwelling Spirit? Am I wise enough in God’s sight, but foolish enough according to the wisdom of the world, to trust in what Jesus Christ has said? Or am I abandoning the great supernatural position of limitless confidence in Christ Jesus, which is really God’s only call for a missionary? If I follow any other method, I depart altogether from the methods prescribed by our Lord—"All authority has been given to Me . . . . Go therefore . . ." ( Matthew 28:18-19 ).
Amen!
"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24
