I Am Not Going to Do That

There are some things that must be done in life that are not on the top of the favorites list. Kids don’t want to eat their vegetables.  People are generally afraid of public speaking and they don’t like trips to the dentist. Not everyone smiles at a Monday morning after a long holiday. Life demands doing many things that are not always fun or easy. Some people work at hospitals and nursing homes. Some people pick up our garbage. Others are advocates for those who are abused. Not every job is full of tasks that are enjoyable all the time.

This is why I sometimes struggle when I hear preachers of the gospel say that there are certain things they are not willing to do. “I will preach on Sundays, but don’t expect me to visit much.” “I will write articles, but I am not going to deliver food to the sick.” “I will study and teach Bible classes, but I am not going door to door.” “I will prepare radio programs, but I am not going to drive Brother Jones to his appointment.”

I could make a very long list of things that preachers end up doing that they will never learn about in college or preacher’s training school. It would take up several pages. Many of the things on the list would not be believed by those who read it, except for preachers who have been working for quite some time and who have been there and done that. But I will say this: There is absolutely nothing that I will not do for people as a servant of Jesus Christ.

People are created in God’s image. People need other people. Every person who preaches the gospel must be dedicated to becoming all things to all men (1 Cor. 9:22). When you sign up for evangelism you have to lay personal preferences aside and just go. The commission says, “Go.” You don’t go on your terms. You certainly aren’t saved on your terms.

If you want to preach the gospel, you can’t have an “I am not going to do that” list. And really, if you are going to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ, you can’t have one either. Jesus left heaven, being equal with the Father, humbled Himself, came in the likeness of men, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. And this is the mind of Christ that we are all supposed to have ourselves (Phil. 2:5-8).

I leave you with these thoughts: The world needs the gospel. It is the only power that exists that saves men eternally (Rom. 1:16). Christians are the envoys of this glorious message. It must be delivered at every cost. If not us, who? If not here, where? If not now, when?

“If You say go, we will go. If You say wait, we will wait. If You say step out on the water, and they say it can’t be done, we’ll fix our eyes on You and we will come.” – Rita Springer

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23-24

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