"Go...", Out of Our Comfort Zone!

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) But, it's not easy to go to unknown, unfamiliar, maybe even unfavorable areas, places or parts of town or the world, around unknown people with different beliefs or behaviors, who don't look like, act like or apparently believe what we who profess and call ourselves Christians do. Christ Jesus gave us the example of what it means to "Go into all the world...". 

Christ Jesus said that the religious leaders of His time falsely accused Him because of the company He kept; "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.” (Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34) Jesus was not an alcoholic or condoning sinners and their behavior, and we can't either; Jesus answered and said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32)

We must be careful how we "Go..."; Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (I Corinthians 15:33) But we must always be mindful that before we were saved by grace, we were no different than anyone else; Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

Christ Jesus prayed to God the Father on our behalf, those of us who would go into the world just as He had, and He said, "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth." (John 17:14-19)

Christ Jesus wants us to "Go...", but not to behave or become like the world. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2) 

As the Apostle Paul explained, "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you." (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

In order to have this braveness and boldness that Christ Jesus commands us to have, and that Jesus, the disciples and apostles demonstrated, we have to remember that we have the same power in us through the Holy Spirit that Paul reminded Timothy he had; "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

We've been commanded by Christ Jesus to "Go"; we know why we must "Go" and how we are to behave when we "Go"; we also know we have the power of God in us to "Go"; now, we just need the courage to "Go". When the Lord God promised Abraham He would bless the world through his Seed and seeds, Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 4 So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him,... (Genesis 12:1-4)

Several centuries later when the descendants of Abraham, the children of Israel were returning to the promised land, the Lord God told their leader, Joshua, “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. ... I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:2-9)

Two very important truths we must understand before we "Go": 1. we have to study the Word of God every day, and 2. we have to obey the Word of God! Jesus said, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." (John 15:16) Whatever we ask? Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-15) Yes, as long as it's according to His will! And how will we know His will? Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3)

We can have the courage to "Go", when we know that we are obeying God's Word and following His will for our lives, based on confirmation from His Word! He may lead us to "Go" different places, whether close to home or far away, among family and friends or strangers in foreign lands, in our communities or among our coworkers and classmates, neighborhood organizations or foreign missions. Wherever and however, He has commanded ALL of us to "GO" ! And what do we do when we "Go" ? And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Long-sighted Goals!

It's a new year and often times we make new year's resolutions, but they are usually only short-sighted goals.  As we get older, we need to focus on more long-sighted goals, not just temporary quick fixes. The Lord says, “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith." (Habakkuk 2:2-3)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Even though long-sighted goals come at their appointed time, and though it tarries, because of our faith in Christ Jesus, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and our living our lives obedient to the Word of God, let us ...ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6-7)

God does not promise that our lives will be “perfect” and without trouble.  As a matter of a fact He promised us there would be trouble and trials. (John 16:33)  But He also made the following promise, that lets us know everything we go through is for a greater purpose, that in due time will be revealed: …And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

And when the difficult times come, we don't have to like it or agree with it or even understand it, but we do have to accept it as God's will, learn from it and move on. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9) Let's have this attitude and conviction as we go forward into the new year and beyond, ...but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)