“”To what should I compare this generation? It’s like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to other children: We played the flute for you, but you didn’t dance; we sang a lament, but you didn’t mourn! For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” Then he proceeded to denounce the towns where most of his miracles were done, because they did not repent:” Matthew 11:16-20 CSB https://bible.com/bible/1713/mat.11.16-20.CSB
What will it take for the Church to reignite its passion for Jesus and His work of global evangelization and discipleship? Regardless of who is speaking – whether it’s John MacArthur or Joel Olsteen – few people seem to have a hunger and thirst for Jesus or the treasure that He encourages us to build in heaven through service to His cause. The deeds of the disciple should be evident: daily time in the Scriptures and a commitment to obey everything Jesus has commanded; compassion for the lost whose eternal destiny is hell unless they repent, which drives prayers, conversations, and deeds until everyone they know has been consistently encouraged to repent and follow Jesus as their Lord.
These are the marks of a true disciple and many other good deeds meant to draw people to repentance and faith in Jesus. It’s important to remember that people will not believe unless they hear the Gospel or hear it unless someone tells them. Furthermore, they will not accept the words unless they see them consistently lived out by the disciples. What will be said if a disciple remains largely ignorant of God’s Word? The world needs Jesus, and Jesus has chosen to go to the world through His Church, but it must engage in the mission of the Great Commission if it is to be found faithful. We must find the inspiration we need to take action, or we risk losing more ground to the pagans who will only make our lives increasingly difficult unless they become brothers and sisters in Christ.
