|
|
799. ARE YOU STILL A "THICKET OF THORNS" Most people know through our words and actions whether or not we sincerely have their best interests at heart. An old adage comes to mind which says: "You can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all the people all the time". How often this has applied to those who, with a prepared speech learned parrot-fashion, preach to people on their doorsteps; to people who suspect they are hearing the same stereotype preaching (or run-through) that their neighbours probably received. This is another way of stopping up the Kingdom of God before men. The coldly expressed thought that they either accept the message or they don't, that either they accept this way of having it conveyed to them or else they are without hope, is very sad. Primarily so, for these very ones who are giving witness to the "good news" of our Lord Jesus in this way. (Matt 18:5-7.) For good reason, 1 Corinthians 12:5 conveys the following: "And there are varieties of ministries, and yet there is the same Lord". But if you were to hide the real 'you' behind this 'way' of communicating, then your listeners would probably do the same -- spiritually a 'stalemate'. The number of hours spent on the ministry, or the number of doors knocked on, or what one has to enter on a record sheet, is of secondary importance, and is certainly nothing of merit. But the intensity and zeal of your speech, along with your loving care for their interests in the Lord should be evident so that they really feel your joy; which certainly makes for better listeners and helps them to have a clearer view of our loving Heavenly Father, His purpose, and your motives. (Phil 1:15-17. Isaiah 55:12,13). One good response is worth more than many brief encounters. "No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him". (John 6:44). But I know a man who used up approximately four hours per week, for over a year, questioning and cross-examining very basic beliefs and scriptures, before actually getting down to an organized Bible study, and even then it was slow-going. To say or suggest that a Bible study should be terminated after six months if that person is deemed to have made too little progress, is not only presumptuous, it is acting in place of God. If such a Bible study is to be terminated, Jehovah will terminate it. Indeed, Jehovah might choose to use someone else to further benefit that one. Some may be drawn by Jehovah through loneliness, despair, or even by their quest just for knowledge. But if by some means they stumble onto the truth about God along the way -- wonderful! One should not take the premeditated step of terminating one's efforts to gather another person to God, before one has made many supplications in this regard to God in prayer. Furthermore, there are those who expect 'miracles', and show this to new converts by hoping for or desiring spiritual progress too soon -- for example, their giving up smoking, or some other uncleanness or excess; and there are many. Besides, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 certainly conveys some past home truths as a pattern for us, and we hope they will continue to act as reminders. Finally, the fulfilment of Ephesians 3:16-19 in our regard is still going on. 13/2/77. |
|