Sideline Christian
As we move day to day in our lives we have the tendency to have a hands off approach in the lives of others. We often sit back and watch as someone follows a self-destructive path, falls into drugs, falls to depression, or worse commits suicide. Why do we sit back and rarely stand up and say anything? If we equate life as a Basketball game we as Christians have benched ourselves. We sit on that bench and we say God will take care of it, God will answer prayers, but is it that simple, of course not. God put each of us on this planet for a reason. We can look to God to fix things, to change the course of events, but truthfully, God generally has a hands off approach. That’s where we come in. IF we Christians were to actually get off the bench we could be the ones to change things. It’s not enough to pray, we pray for God to lay his hands on someone’s heart, to heal someone’s sickness, but it’s us that can be the positive effect on someone’s life. It is said that we (Christians) cannot be the one to breakthrough someone’s heart that God can do that. I challenge that notion. If a child in Cambodia never hears the words of God, is never exposed to scripture that child is not likely to know Christ. We have missions trips that go to the far reaches of the world to spread the word, but here at home, here in our own back yard, here in our families, we remain a silent observer. When Christ was on mission at one point he returned home to continue is mission. Mark 6 tells us that when Jesus went to his own hometown the people where astonished at his wondrous teachings, but quickly turned on him. Mark 6:2-6 “ And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 4 But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.” It’s often harder to preach and teach to our own families, friends, and neighbors. They often know where we had fallen short, known of our mistakes and our transgressions, but that never makes the word less true. We must always face our own failings, and not let those failings stop us from getting into the game. We are commanded by the great commission to spread the Gospel, to teach the good word, spread the good news. Doing it takes conviction, strength, and I would say preaching to your own family and friends is harder then any mission trip you may go on. Never let fear of rejection or fear of judgment stop you from doing what’s right. As Jesus said kick off the dust from your sandals and keep marching on, God is on the side of truth. In this life we are not promised an easy path, in fact we are told that for all that follow in Christ will mean our own persecution. Stand firm in your Godly convictions, face the masses, never be afraid to speak the truth. Get off the bench, and help guide those around you. Pray for guidance, pray for the sinner, pray for those around you, but most importantly never give up hope. This life is only lived once so while you’re here make a difference.
The Arrow Preacher 