Personal Work

Churches today are not growing as they did in the first century. In fact many are not growing at all, or very little. Some are even growing smaller (dying). Why is this happening? It certainly isn't because the gospel has lost its power (Rom. 1:16).

I believe it is a lack of conviction. If we had the conviction as they did in the first century, we would be busy doing personal evangelism. The fields truly "are white already to harvest" but the laborers are few.

Solomon said, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise." (Prov. 11:30). If the one who wins souls is wise, what about the one who doesn't win souls? Is he not unwise? What about you my brother/sister, are you wise? Is the unwise person going to be saved? Is he doing the Lord's will? Remember Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Now, let me ask you again, are you doing the will of the Lord?

The apostle Paul said, "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5:17). If we understand the will of the Lord, then we know that he through Paul said, "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). So, if you are faithful, you will be busy teaching others the soul saving gospel.

It was said of the apostles, ".....behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine" (Acts 5:28). Also, in Acts 17:6, "......These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also." Is this ever said of us today? It should be true in every city where there are Christians. Everyone is town should know that we are a Christian and that we are interested in teaching the gospel to others. But, we are so busy with the things of this world that we don't have or take the time to do the Lord's work. Brethren, we had better stop and take a look at our life and if changes need to be made, we better make them. We have no promise of tomorrow, so we had better be ready for the coming of the Lord every day. I believe if we look at our life and live each day as though it was the last day we will live, we would be busy doing the Lord's will.

Negativism, expressed in such language as, "We can't do it", or "It won't work", or "They will not listen," is responsible for killing initiative, enthusiasm and even churches.