Here is how it goes, you study to show yourself approved, specifically in the matters of salvation. Our sinful nature, our need for a Savior, of repentance, of the sufficiency of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ for our sins, and the truth of Ephesians 2:8-9.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
And when you have at least the rudimentary knowledge of these truths and are armed with a love for people that can only be placed within your heart by the Holy Spirit, you go out and speak those truths to your neighbors, your family and friends, to all that will listen, as often as possible, fulfilling John 14:15.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
But that is not what happens very often anymore, is it?
Instead, many just show up to church on time, sing the songs, listen to the sermon, and then, sadly, in all reality, simply go back into the world, back to their lives, and do what many churches seem to tell them to do, just be the best Christian you can be.
And rule number one seems to be Hebrews 10:25.
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Steps two and following, always be polite, never judge anyone, accept all as they are. And the most sure-fire way to evangelize someone is to invite them to church, the pastor will take it from there.
One-on-one discipleship classes have been replaced with the midweek Bible study, and over many decades I have yet to find one that is not muddled in organization to the extreme. We start at this time and by a certain time we will, not we might, we will finish at this point and time.
There must of course be some form of organization, but nearly every church has transformed it into a tradition, and to change the order, if even in the slightest form, without not only due consent from certain people in the church, but with many weeks of, again, organizational preparation, an inner turmoil amongst the assembly will ensue. They have not been taught the basics of human nature, nor are they being taught how to effectively fulfill Mark 16:15.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
They are taught how to be “better Christians,” it is instilled within them to make sure to be in attendance next Sunday, and how to sit and listen.
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22)
To be a doer to many, if not most churches today, means to become part of the finance committee, the building committee, help with the young ones, tend the grounds, clear the parking lot, or make sure to be there early enough to unlock the doors and hand out the morning pamphlet. The local church is a safe, heartwarming secure place full of love and smiling faces, not a place to be sent out into the dark and scary wicked world from. Just invite them to church and you have fulfilled the love of Christ, right?
You have proven your love for Him because occasionally you said an “Amen” in public, or perhaps even went as far to actually say out loud, “Praise God!” It was scary, even nerve racking, but you did it and now everyone knows you are a Christian.
“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:” (2nd Tim. 2:12)
It’s quite amazing, isn’t it, how so many who profess the name of the Lord Jesus Christ seem to believe that being embarrassed for His name means that they have suffered.
You know the verse, but I will offer it to you again anyway.
“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26)
But they must be saved, right? I mean, they go to church after all, they sing loudly, they sit and listen, they even mow the church yard and vacuum the building once a week.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Matt. 28:19)
Disciples are not hearers only, they are doers, and those who do you will find out in the public eye speaking of Him whom they truly serve.
