That Voice For Jesus

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame."  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon HIm.  For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they preach unless they are sent?  As it is written:  "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of goo things!"  But they have not all obeyed the gospel.  For Isaiah says, "LORD, who has believed our report?"  So then faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10: 10-17 NKJV

I often wonder just how there can be so many people who have not yet heard of Christ Jesus.  Indeed, there are plenty of those around us who either have never heard the truth of Christ, or have refused to believe it in themselves.  One of the topics of our recent Sunday morning discussion focused on a christian friend of someone in our group who will often inquire of someone, "Were you in church Sunday?"  As if attendance in the local house of worship was a prerequisite to our Lords salvation.  I would venture to suggest that this man has not heard the very truth of Jesus.  So, who will show him?  This is not a matter of selecting the brightest and most able christian to show someone the truth of Christ.  No, this is a call which is placed upon each of us who have come to know Jesus.  Now, I am notone to point fingers, as I have fallen short many a time in my attempts to share Christ with others.  For those who know me, I am not a teacher.  Of course, this logic wouldn't fly either.  Moses wasn't a teacher either.  However, God provided that situation for Moses to not only become a speaker , but the very leader who led his people out of slavery in Egypt.  Don't get me wrong, God orchestrated it all, He just used Moses as His vessel accomplish what He had promised His people.

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.  When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted.  And Jesus came and spoke ot them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptiizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  Amen.
Matthew 28:16-20 NKJV

It is interesting that the word "Disciple" is translated from Greek as a student, pupil or apprentice.  Although it was often used to describe the followers of a great religious leader or teacher of philosophy.  These Greeks were big on philosophy.  I see this and I can understand just where the followers of Christ Jesus were refered to as his disciples.  For they were among those who followed Him.  Granted, Jesus chose this small group of men to Himself, but they chose to follow Him nonetheless.  Knowing this makes Jesus' command to His followers in Matthew 28 even more interesting.  Often called "The great comission," it is here where Jesus tasks those who have devoted themselves to following Him to "Go therefore and make disciples {followers} of all the nations."  However, was this simply a call placed by Jesus on those who followed Him, or do we today still heed His call?  Indeed, "How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?"  Who is the voice of Christ Jesus today?  Yes, it is true that those seek the truth need only seek the word of God, but will they?  I know that I never would have thought of seeking God unless that seed had not been planted by my own mother when I was young.  So, who will be that voice for Jesus?  Whoever decides to take up this call, we can rest assured that we do so with the strength of Christ who is in us {Galations 2:20}.

~Scott~