The Christian Call of Duty
As Christians, it is our duty to make disciples and believers of Him who saved us, molded us, and comforted us. We are called to go out into the world and bring the sheep to Him, our Great Shepherd.
“After this, the Lord appointed 70 others, and He sent them ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place where He Himself was about to go. He told them: ‘The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. Now go; I’m sending you out like lambs among wolves.’” (Luke 10:1-3)
In this context, He is speaking to His disciples and the twelve apostles, but that same calling applies to all Christians everywhere. We are to delve into this sickly world and put on a brave and committed face for Christ. It is our job to spread the Good News of Christ’s love and sacrifice for our sin.
In doing this, we undoubtedly will face rejection, persecution, callousness, and all manner of evildoing. Yet still, we must persist even if it were to mean our deaths. We should not be afraid of the wolves, of man.
“The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6)
“Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
The only one we should truly respect and fear above all in this life is Him, our Creator. Man is nothing by comparison. Man is cruel; he will attack you in all manner of ways. He will bite at your heels, nip at your convictions, compel you with force and a silver tongue, but he cannot overcome one who believes. He cannot destroy that which belongs to the Lord our God.
If in your journey to make disciples and bring the lost sheep back to God, you find yourselves at a crossroads of faith, do not compromise. Fallen man spits on and reviles that which he detests and hearing the Truth is a one-way ticket to scorn and ridicule. But if these men (and women) have hold of your flesh, you dare not speak against Him. Satan’s children want you to deny Him, but this is the one thing you must not do above all else.
“Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.” (Matthew 10:32-36)
This means that yes, even your own family may turn against you for speaking the Gospel Truth. Such are the lies of the devil that they manifest in those closest to you. But you, the believer, must persevere and deliver unto them the Good News of Jesus Christ. And if they should not come to repentance and belief, shake the dust from your feet and move on. Be much in prayer for them, but if they have heard the Good News and still steadfastly refuse Him, you have already done your duty.
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing, you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21)
In your journey, many will seek to stop you from bringing souls to the Lord. They will demand that you turn away from Him and serve the pleasures of the flesh instead. But do not be fooled. They believe only in lies. They need their Savior, their Redeemer, and their Lord: Jesus Christ. Do your part to share with them the Good News.
Only the Lord can truly change the hearts of men, but you have a role to play. And, should all fail on your end, remember that He has everything in hand.
Thanks and praise be to Him, our Father in Heaven, who is gracious, kind, and not quick to anger. In Jesus name, I pray that His will be done. Amen.
