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 One
of my golfing friends asked the local pro if taking golf lessons
from him would guarantee a better score. The wise pro replied,
"Not until you get serious about golf!". Obviously,
this instructor had learned an important lesson from indifferent
students; namely, that those who don't care don't succeed. Many
still need to learn that lesson, especially in the spiritual
realm.
Even
in the Lord's church there is much evidence of much complacency.
In fact, I see it as one of the most dangerous enemies of Truth
today. Many Christians are just not serious about getting to
heaven! The empty pew says it. The man who becomes careless and
negligent about worshiping God is a man who is not serious about
going to heaven, all excuses to the contrary not withstanding. I
read somewhere that participation is one of the most obvious
indicators of interest. For the Christian active participation
in spiritual activities such as Bible classes and worship
services is but an expression of faith. Do we say more when we
call it an expression of interest? One is cause; the other
effect. When only half as many participate in Sunday evening
services as in Sunday morning services, what does it prove?
(Other things being equal, of course) IT PROVES THE PRESENCE OF
A SERIOUS PROBLEM! — and Christians who think otherwise have
an even more serious problem! Every Christian who identifies
with a local church agrees, in essence at least, to give of his
time, talents, resources, and influence to help make that church
what God would have it to be. Doing less hurts the church and
dishonors its Head. We say that sinners need to hear the gospel
and that
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saints need to be edified. But conduct a gospel meeting` for that
very purpose and hear again the incriminating testimony of the
empty pew. Are we really serious about serving God?
Precious
few, if any, Christians have not been exhorted to involve
themselves in personal evangelism. We know the value of a soul
(Matt. 16:26). We know that only the gospel can save lost souls
(Rom. 1:16). We know that the fields are "white unto
harvest"; that the time is short; that the laborers are few
—but how many are involving themselves with reaching the lost
in a meaningful way? Many unsaved souls say it too —"some
Christians are not all that serious about going to heaven! —
or helping us get there". And, if we would but listen, we
could hear similar testimony from other sources as well.
For
example, our closed and little used Bibles are harbingers of
spiritual weakness. None can deny it. The man who has no
interest in reading and reflecting upon the scriptures cannot be
very serious about his salvation. Neither can the man who has
forsaken prayer and introspection. When thoughts of Christians
are seldom centered on "things that are above", it is
evident they are not headed that way. Seriousness about
salvation flavors every facet of life. It means to "seek ye
first" and we must not deceive ourselves into thinking less
is good enough. Think of what great things could be accomplished
if ALL of God's people got serious about getting to
heaven! Dan Shipley
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