We pride ourselves in keeping updated on current events, important issues around the world, and our community. However, a more important priority, is the importance of the people around us. Whether it’s relatives, friends, co-workers, or a stranger on the street – it all begins with personal contact (Jesus believed in personal contact – cf. Matthew 5:1-2; Matthew 8:1; Matthew 12:15; Matthew 13:1-3; Matthew 19:1-2; Matthew 21:1-11; Matthew 23:1).
The Lord’s church is not growing as it should, simply because there is very little one-to-one contact anymore. We’ve isolated ourselves with the attitude of “me first, my town first, my country first.” Folks, we are all part of the human race, no matter the geographic (Acts 17:24-26).
If we are true Christians, people should come "first" (after the Lord‘s kingdom, of course – Matthew 6:33). We can make a difference in evangelizing the world (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16), only when we realize that there are better things to occupy our time than sitting with our nose glued to the television, keeping track of the latest video releases, or downloading the latest music on our IPods. There are people out there who need human contact other than at the office or workplace.
It all boils down to priorities. If we give our career, personal possessions, or entertainment a higher priority than telling others about the saving gospel of Christ, we’re hindering not only our own spiritual growth, but the spiritual growth of others as well. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why loneliness and depression are such serious problems in our society today.
Let’s take a moment from our "busy" schedule today, and just think about the last time we told someone close to us how important they really are to us and how concerned we are about their spiritual growth and development (cf. Colossians 1:1-13). We might be surprised at the reaction we receive. Folks might even be more attuned to hearing the gospel message of salvation and responding to it (Acts 8:25-40).
Go ahead and shock someone today! It might even be “catching“ (Luke 5:1-10; cf. Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
The Lord’s church is not growing as it should, simply because there is very little one-to-one contact anymore. We’ve isolated ourselves with the attitude of “me first, my town first, my country first.” Folks, we are all part of the human race, no matter the geographic (Acts 17:24-26).
If we are true Christians, people should come "first" (after the Lord‘s kingdom, of course – Matthew 6:33). We can make a difference in evangelizing the world (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16), only when we realize that there are better things to occupy our time than sitting with our nose glued to the television, keeping track of the latest video releases, or downloading the latest music on our IPods. There are people out there who need human contact other than at the office or workplace.
It all boils down to priorities. If we give our career, personal possessions, or entertainment a higher priority than telling others about the saving gospel of Christ, we’re hindering not only our own spiritual growth, but the spiritual growth of others as well. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why loneliness and depression are such serious problems in our society today.
Go ahead and shock someone today! It might even be “catching“ (Luke 5:1-10; cf. Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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