20 June 2007 Devotion for Today “Swamping the Boat” John 10:15-16
“The Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.” John 10:15-16
Dr. Tony Evans tells this story, that in 1912, the Titanic lost 1500 people, most of whom did not have to die because only half of the life boats were only half full. The occupants of the boats were too afraid to turn around to rescue the victims in the icy waters for fear that they lost would flip their boat. Evans continued: “That is the way it is with those who will not share Christ with the lost, afraid that they are going to flip our ‘Jesus’ boat.”
It is a shame that such short-sightedness would be found among Christians, but it is. Its sad that so few recognize the sacrifices of those who pulled them into the life boat in the first place, but it is sadder still that those who have been saved somehow come to view that the life boat belongs to them. According to our recent publication of the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board, study showed that only 8 to 10 % of Christians regularly shared their faith in Christ. But among those who did not share, 33.5% are afraid of being rejected or embarrassed if they share Christ. Whatever the response, it is clear that the focus is not on Christ nor on the ones who needs to receive the messenger, but upon themselves. What it amounts to is fear of swamping the boat or falling out of it themselves. Jesus commands us, that as long as there are more people who are out of the fold than inside of it, we must follow His example and bring them into it. We also need to remember the Christ's salvation belongs to him and given to us as a free gift- not to the ones who receive it as a free gift.
Have a blessed day.
Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@embarqmail.com
jcrussell@liberty.edu
Church website: http://25621.lifewaylink.com
Devotion Archives: http://www.msnusers.com/DevotionforToday
No comments:
Post a Comment