The Lord of the Harvest

.... Evangelism is about sharing the gospel with unsaved persons, and leading them into a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ. For the would-be evangelist, the most basic lesson is to understand this effort as a partnership, in which God Himself is the senior partner and we are, by far, the junior partners. For we may be the laborers in the field, but He Himself is the Lord of the Harvest (Matthew 9:38). The whole endeavor is His very own handiwork, and we are joining Him a very late stage. In fact, let’s start by examining what He accomplished long before we even became involved:

.... From before the foundation of the world, God chose His only Son Jesus to be the savior of all mankind (Isaiah 42:1; Ephesians 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:10). This event is called the ‘election’, which we will discuss in detail in a posting soon-to-come. As the Lamb of God in heaven, Jesus was slain for our sins before time began, before mankind was even created, before there was ever a need (Revelation 13:8). So when man was created and later fell into sin, the way of our redemption was already prepared. This was done so that God might be glorified in Jesus alone, as we all came to God through Him (Romans 11:36).

.... And to insure that we would one day connect with Jesus, when we heard of Him, God hid something of the knowledge of Christ deeply inside each one of us:

.... "That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world"

(John 1:9)

.... Thus in the days to come, when we would first hear the good news of Jesus Christ, that message would touch deeply on this hidden knowledge that was already within us, match it, and confirm it to us in an eerie way. From deeply within ourselves we’d know that we had just heard the truth (1 Corinthians 2:13; see 1 Corinthians 14:25). And this would be so, even if we did not receive Jesus at the time (see Proverbs 25:21-22).

.... So when the Lord uses you in evangelism, realize that your message is always getting through to your listener at some level, even if it is not acknowledged at once. God may bring your words back to them in quiet, thoughtful moments in the days to come. And if you've shown a humble confidence in the Lord the whole time, He will add a special testimony above all, and it's something each of you will understand from deeply within yourselves:

.... "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ . . . not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God."

(Philippians 1:27-28)

.... Through this added testimony (which comes through your confidence in God) you will both know that you are saved, but they are still in their sins; and you will both perceive that this understanding has come to you from the Lord Himself. But the intention is not to condemn anyone. Your listener can be saved, if only they will humble themselves and repent, and seek Him as you have done.

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Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 27