Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20
The charge to go forth and spread the gospel is as authoritative today as it was over 2,000 years ago when Christ gave the great commission. As individuals, congregations, and a collective body, we work diligently to carry out the command of Matthew 28. The Lord’s Church has capitalized on every avenue and advancement of the information age to be an accessible and accurate source of Biblical truth to as many as we can reach throughout the world. Also, personal evangelism is extended to whomever we might have the opportunity to speak with. We truly have everything at our disposal to convert the lost and restore the erring. However, an age-old obstacle remains, we have to get them interested.
The Devil is hard at work doing many things to cause disinterest in the Gospel. The amount of distractions that are provided for people is astounding. Television that streams our favorite shows on demand, sports, movies and many other leisurely activities keep so many so busy, they haven’t time or energy to properly consider their own spiritual well being. Recent events in human history have conditioned some to think church services are not important or, what’s worse, somehow considered dangerous….while evidently the local restaurant is deemed completely safe. Yes, it is a trying time to try to get folks to church, as one of our Elders has said “we ought not have to beg people to come to church”.
His statement bears much wisdom. The fact is they are not interested because they don’t see the need. Our world has forgotten one simple thing mentioned in Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”. Yes, this is harsh but it is reality. The great people of faith (Heb 12) looked at time here as a pilgrimage or simply a journey that they knew would end. Let us kindly remind others as well as ourselves of the importance of being interested in eternity. It is, after all, the one common thing we all have in the future.
By Jason Barger