Rambling #49 – Evangelism

We talk about heaven being so far away. It is within speaking distance to those who belong there. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. – Dwight L. Moody

I am not certain how many commands Christ gave. I have read as many as 125, but I do know of at least one: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

As I have said before I am not afraid of the parts of the Bible I do not understand, but I am scared to death of the parts I do understand. I heard the Bishop speak one time where he remarked on the commands of Christ. He said, “When Christ Jesus speaks your only reply should be, ‘Yes Lord.’ He leaves no room for concern, or doubt, the lamenting that ‘I’m not very good at that’ or ‘I may make someone uncomfortable.’ Our only reply should be ‘yes Lord’.”

I was trying to remember when “making disciples” became important to me. When did I realize that I had chosen to trust Christ Jesus and now I had to tell others so that they had the same opportunity that was given to me. I believe this fire was lit when the Holy Spirit poured the knowledge that was in my head into my heart. Heaven is very real place, and so is Hell. Believe me, I have seen visions of Hell. It is a place where I would wish no one to spend eternity.

That is what drives me! The knowledge that God loves us so much He will grant our desires, even an eternity apart from Him. The absence of light is dark, the absence of heat is cold, and the absence of God is Hell and if we deny Him, He will grant that separation. The only way to prevent that is to make disciples i.e., people who are prepared to accept the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

Just as the church prepares people for baptism, or confirmation, as a parent prepares a child to be on their own, as grammar school prepares a child for high school, people MUST be prepared for Heaven. We cannot simply show up and expect to be let in. Heaven is not for good people or happy people or even for blessed people. Heaven is for holy people and that takes preparation. It is for a people who understand their goodness and righteousness comes from Jesus Christ not from themselves or their actions.

Why did Jesus say, “repent and be baptized”? There has to be an understanding of the dire consequence of sin in our lives, which causes this separation and the need for a savior. SOMEONE HAS TO SHOW THE NATIONS THAT SIN IS REAL!! I am a disciple, I am prepared for eternity, and the only way other people can become prepared is if they first become disciples.

Luke 24:46-49 says,

Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be reached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.

This passage hit me hardest. First, Christ proclaims the Gospel: “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day.” (Bad news, you are a sinner; good news, Christ beat it.) Second, He gives the command: “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Tell them the good news about the bad news.) Third, He tells me how to do it: “And you are witnesses of these things.” (TELL YOUR STORY!!) And finally, He gives me the ability: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you.” (By the power of the Holy Spirit)

If I do not follow the command I will be without excuse on the Day of Judgement. That is one of those things that I do understand and it frightens me. To know that I would stand before my Creator with the full knowledge of sin and the need for repentance and to have not been the witness for Him that He commands. It would be a shame of unbearable proportion to know that as I walk streets of gold my Lord had to use other witnesses to bring His sheep unto Himself.

How can I be a disciple and not prepare the bride for the groom? If I do not, am I really a disciple?

Dear God,

Use me to prepare your people, give me the courage to have the heart of Isaiah, SEND ME! Introduce me to those who do not know you. Put the burden of sin on my heart and the words of repentance and remission on my lips that I may be a witness to the fact your Son Our Lord Jesus Christ is alive, that he lives in me, and calls out to them. Redemption belongs to you but discipleship is my responsibility. I give you the honor and glory for the salvation of your creation. Let them who have ears hear. By the power of your Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

“Ramblings” are from the personal diary of an anonymous parishoner of St. Andrew’s, a diary he affectionately entitles, The Ramblings of a Madman. They are, in fact, the reflections and meditations of a man passionately in pursuit of God.