FAITHFULWORD.ORG | TEACHINGS

Ephesians 5:15-17; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; II Corinthians 5:17, 18, 20; Matthew 9:35-38; John 4:23-43; II Timothy 3:1-17; 4:1-5; 2:1-5; Matthew 22:15-22; 13:1-30; 36-43

It is important for us, as believers to redeem the time, especially in light of the believer’s great commission which is written in Mark 16:15. We are to go into the world and preach the gospel to every created thing. We have great news to preach. Prior to the day of Pentecost, Jesus Christ spoke to his disciples and told them they will be witnesses even to the uttermost parts of the earth. We have been given the ministry of reconciliation. Truth simply needs a hearing. It needs to be spoken, preached and presented so people have an opportunity to hear and respond. God has given all believers the ministry of preaching the gospel. When people respond favorably and accept God’s invitation to eternal life, they are reconciled to God.

Jesus Christ prayed for more laborers in the harvest. We read the record in John when he spoke to the woman at the well. When she heard the good news of the gospel, she ran to tell the people in her town. They returned and listened to what Jesus had to say and believed on him after they heard about him for themselves.

We are not to be distracted from the great commission by the affairs of this world. There are certainly plenty of causes we can involve ourselves in that hinder us from doing the things of God. For example, if we consider entering into the wrangling between right and wrong in the political arena (which are things God will judge) we will have no time left for the preaching and teaching of the Gospel, or for ministering to others and praying for them. Timothy says we are to turn away from such things. We are to get busy doing the right thing. Our strength comes from the Lord Jesus Christ who is the head of the Body and will direct our paths. We are not only to lead people to Christ but to teach them to the point where they can lead others. To do so, we must not entangle ourselves with the affairs of this life.

Matthew 13 contains the parable of the good seeds and the tares. In the times of the Bible, when someone first planted seeds, the first few days were vitally important because of the germination period. When someone wanted to have revenge against another, he would plant weeds in the midst of the newly planted field. It was not until the blade sprung up that one could tell the difference between the good and bad seed.

God’s enemy and ours is the Devil. The epistle of Timothy promises us that those who live for God will suffer persecution. The devil sows seed into the world where we live. The way we respond is how God determines the fruit in our lives. A time is coming when God, the Righteous Judge, will judge the world by His Son Jesus Christ. There will be a separation between the wheat and the tares — one will receive extermination; the other will shine forth in the kingdom of God. In the meantime, there are things growing together in the world. We should consider these matters in light of redeeming the time.