By Gary Woodall
Over the years the church at Karns has supported missions to many places around the world. Ukraine, Russia, Philippines, St. Croix, St. Vincent, Honduras, Tasmania, New Zealand, Australia, and India to name just a few. All these have had the gospel proclaimed through Karns’ efforts and those of many other congregations.
We continue to maintain strong interest in bringing God’s Word and salvation to others around the world, as we should. But while we are trying to save the world, we are losing our own country! We have largely neglected those right around us.
Jesus’ last words before his ascension were:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
This applies to those we live near just as much as to those around the world. All need salvation, all are loved by God.
In the United States, Christians have largely become ineffective soul winners, ineffective teachers, or even worse absentee teachers and soul winners.
We may never be a top expert on every Bible doctrine, but we all can learn to teach the simple gospel message to the lost around us. There are very simple aids to help you. If the Lord wills, there will be training and opportunity in the new year to give you all you need to carry out the command to make disciples. When dates are announced prioritize that training, make room in your schedule and life. You will be surprised how much easier it is with a little training and the proper tools. Prepare yourself to carry out this command… then do it.
Jesus came to “Seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
We are to be Christ-like (I John 2:6, I Peter 2:21, I Cor 11:1, Phil. 2:5, et al.).
Make it your goal to be Christ-like, to seek and save the lost. If not us, if not you, then who?