Thursday, July 15, 2010

Forever Strong? Not if it's Like Amos Says.


So, I watched a pretty good movie last night about rugby called, "Forever Strong." It was based on a real coach and rugby team from Utah. This movie had themes familiar to the Christian faith such as redemption, second chances, forgiveness, & love. It turns out that the coach portrayed in the movie is Mormon. His salvation and doctrinal differences aside, what stood out was the sportsmanship, the caring, and the encouragement these guys had compared to the other teams. What if everyone, not just this one sports team, lived by biblical principles? What if they had at least heard the 10 Commandments and knew of God's expectations? Even better, what if those who heard God's Commandments adhered to them in at least some regards? Best yet, what if all who heard God's Law felt godly sorrow and repented and put their faith and trust in the Jesus Christ of the Bible and lived by His commands. What an amazing place this would be huh? Amos hits the nail on the head when he says in chapter 8 verses 11-12-

"The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD, "when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.

Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.

These words written in the book of Amos, that talk about Israel, seem to be speaking of the condition of evangelism today in America. Knowing that a staggeringly low 2% of Christians share their faith it's easy to see how this could apply to us in the here and now. It's scary to think that these words that applied to Israel way back when at some point were speaking to Europe and now they are pointing their prophetic little finger at America. If we don't all start getting the Gospel out soon, every one of us who claim the name of Christ, we are gonna be in a world of hurt. We can't rely on Billy Graham and Greg Laurie, or our pastor, or the missionaries anymore. We all need to act now. All of us as believers of the Son of God. The cults our out there telling people about other Jesus'. At least they have the part about sharing their faith down. What are we gonna do about it? Should we who have the actual Truth, who haven't added or taken from God's grace or His Word, be less obedient than the deceived? I encourage you today to share your faith with someone, anyone who will listen. Get in the habit of doing it. Use the Law, the 10 Commandments, to show people their need for Jesus. These Commandments don't help the sinner get to Heaven but they point them to Jesus who is the only way to Heaven. There may be someone going back and forth looking for the words of God, not finding them, like Amos says. You can give that to them. Share with someone today. It may not just lead to a better place to live. If we all get on board, it could lead to revival.

Romans 10:14 (New International Version)

14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

2 comments:

  1. I have told people in the past that even if they don't believe in God or Jesus; that if they lived according to how the Bible tells us to live, they'd be living a much better life than they do now. You'd be spending/storing your money better, your morals would be on a much higher level and you'd treat others with respect just to name a few things.

    It is crazy that only 2% or so of Christians share their faith and I'm guilty of being in the 98% for the most part. I don't actively seek out and share and I really don't know why. Part of me just doesn't really think about it once my day starts, but deep down I know that's just an excuse. It's something that I need to work on, but as you said more importantly... WE ALL need to work on.

    The entire body working as one... imagine that!

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  2. It is a shame how some other religions put Christians to shame when it comes to witnessing. I've been in that 98% category for pretty much my whole Christian existence. It's not until recently when I joined DiG that things have slowly been changing, beginning with sending out messages on XBL to leaving tracts out for people to see. They're baby steps, but for me, a pretty reserved person in public, at least a start. What a place the world would be if the 2% witnessing increased. Thanks Ben & Virgil for getting this going and staying with it.

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