“But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day. What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. Yes, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you. And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead.”
Luke 10:10-15 (NLT)
Even though we will be bringing a message of peace and hope, we must not neglect to warn those who reject Christ of the eternal consequences. We serve a loving and gracious God, but He is also Holy and Righteous. He will one day judge each and every one of us, and we will stand before Him accountable for our lives. Those who have been forgiven and cleansed with the blood of Christ will receive their inheritance as God’s children, but those who are found guilty will spend eternity separated from God.
Today, ask the Holy Spirit for courage and boldness. Pray that we will not “sugar coat” the gospel, but clearly, with compassion and love, communicate the consequences of rejecting Christ. Continue to plead for the souls of the lost, and remember that only God (not us) has the power to save.
Prayerfully,
Madison
Photo credit: http://www.freeimages.com/photographer/duchesssa-41098
As the disciples left for their mission, they were to spread the message that “the Kingdom of God is near you now.” What an incredible message we have to share with others! Jesus Christ came to earth, lived 33 perfect years, died a cruel death on the cross, took our sins upon Himself, was buried, and rose again to conquer sin and death! Our message brings hope and offers life! Together, let’s pray that God opens opportunities for us to share our testimonies with those who desperately need Christ. Pray that Christ’s love and free gift of salvation is clearly communicated and positively accepted.
When we look at the life of Jesus and His ministry here on earth, we see that He always tended to the physical needs of people before He addressed their spiritual needs. You may have heard the saying “people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Although we are not doctors, we certainly have resources that can help address the physical needs of those who are hurting around us: love, time, an encouraging word, a warm smile, financial assets, food, etc.