I have to confess that I am troubled about something.
Why are some churches not interested in evangelizing the world as Jesus commanded us?
In some churches, outreach into the community only involves the good works of helping with someone’s physical needs: food, a vehicle, a medical issue, repair to a home and so on and there is totally no desire help that person’s need for knowing God’s Saving Grace through His Son Jesus the Messiah and to receive him and obtain their salvation. In fact, sharing the Gospel is frowned upon. Why?
Jesus quoted this Scripture when Satan tempted him to turn stones into bread to feed his hunger: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word out of the mouth of God”
Jesus showed us that God’s Word tells us directly that we need more than physical food for our bodies to live.
In the story of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, Jesus being tired stopped for a drink of water at the well while his disciples went on into the town to obtain food. While Jesus was sitting there, a certain Samaritan woman came to draw water and Jesus asked her for a drink to satisfy his fleshly thirst. In return, Jesus offered her “living water” or the gift of the Holy Spirit so that she might live in a new and different way that eventually would eliminate the need for the water in the well.
God’s Word speaks about two types of life in us: One is fleshly life, our bodies and the other is our spirit.
We know that in order for our bodies to live, we must have food, air and water but what do we need to make our spirts live or to be alive and to grow spiritually?
Our spirits were given to us when God created us so that we could have fellowship with Him. Jesus said that God is Spirit and seeks those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth and we can only do that with our spirits and not our flesh.
Without breaking down that wall or veil of separation we have with God due to our sins, our spirits are dead and useless and it’s our spirits that will live on into eternity either in a dead-like state separated from God or wonderfully alive and in fellowship with Him.
If we do not serve our communities with both fleshly and spiritual food, we are doing them a great disservice. Why would we allow this to happen to those we are trying to help? Could it possibly be because those helping don’t really believe the Gospel themselves, or they doubt so much in their hears that they are embarrassed to share it with anyone for fear of sounding delusional?
The excuse I have heard is that reaching out to someone to satisfy a particular need and then telling them about God’s Grace and salvation through Jesus Christ is somehow tricking them with the offer of help and then substituting or adding to it by sharing the Gospel or that we are somehow being transactional (apparently something to avoid). Could it possibly be because those helping don’t really believe the Gospel themselves?
There are even those and I can hardly even believe it but it’s true who think good people doing good works can be saved without the need for Jesus. Could it possibly be because they don’t really believe the Gospel themselves?
What this sad state of affairs tells me is these people who believe this know next to nothing about God’s Word and the little they do know is erroneously steeped in human secularism and depending on their own knowledge and understanding: The idea that we don’t need Jesus if we do good works.
Jesus warned that those who are ashamed of Him and His words that He will be ashamed of them when he comes in His Glory. I can’t imagine that will be a good thing or have a good outcome.
How on earth are we to plant the seeds of salvation without sharing the Gospel with those in the world and in our communities and what better way than while we attend to their physical needs?
It’s not a hard thing for us to do and we can share our own testimony and what knowing Jesus means to us. You will be planting the seed of salvation and hope in a world devoid of it, and it gives them the chance for their own salvation and to be free from the fear of death.