Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Christ’s promise to be with us is in the context of our fulfilling the commission given us. Therefore, it seems as if our brains would have to be rewired to think, and act along those lines, for very many of us are quite absorbed in the temporal things of life, to the point where active ministry in Christ’s kingdom is often viewed as an encroachment upon one’s time, and personal resources.
But the main priority of a true Christian is not merely to make a living, and pay bills, nor is it to focus on retirement, or wealth management, for even though these things may be good in their legitimate sphere, yet Christ never intended that they should absorb our keenest interest. Thus, a true Christian’s priority will be a burden for souls for whom Christ died, and every other consideration will be held subject to that one great and noble purpose.
Whatsoever sits on our minds continually from day to day, and whatsoever absorbs our utmost interest is where we will ultimately expend our best energy, and resources. In this age of the world, numerous inventions, and distractions are eating up valuable time and resources, which have nothing to do with the commission Christ has given to us as Christians.
This in turn has produced a lukewarm condition in the church, where many members do just enough to get by as Christians, even though a vital interest, and energy in the building up of God’s kingdom may be lacking. The words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” are not addressed to those who did the bare minimum, but rather to those who went over and beyond, sacrificially, in advancing the interests of God’s kingdom upon the earth.
It was against the backdrop of a confused order of priorities that Christ cautioned Christians not to lose focus, for whenever that takes place, the Laodicean syndrome sets in, and a lukewarm form of Christian living is the sure result. Thus, the word “Treasure” in the following passages, not only has to do with literal treasures and possessions, it also refers to whatsoever is consuming our highest interest, and best resources, which does not contribute to the salvation of souls. Let’s read:
Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Our treasure refers to what we deeply care about, it refers to what may cause us to lose sleep at nights, it has to do with what we will spend any amount of money to preserve and protect, and it also includes what we will readily sacrifice for, putting the most value on, and esteeming it of greatest importance. If the salvation of souls, for whom Christ died does not fit the above description, then our “Treasure” is in the wrong place. Let’s read:
Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
When the disciples mourned that they had fished all night, and had caught nothing, The Lord showed in graphic terms what was the real problem. It wasn’t that they had bad luck, and it wasn’t because there were no fish to take their bait, neither did they fail because of a lack of skill on their part, for they were very experienced fishermen. The problem was their mixed-up priorities. Let’s read:
Luke 5:1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.
3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless, at thy word I will let down the net.
6 And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.
[C.O.L. 366] Christ's coming was at a time of intense worldliness. Men were subordinating the eternal to the temporal, the claims of the future to the affairs of the present. They were mistaking phantoms for realities, and realities for phantoms. They did not by faith behold the unseen world. Satan presented before them the things of this life as all-attractive and all-absorbing, and they gave heed to his temptations.
Christ came to change this order of things. He sought to break the spell by which men were infatuated and ensnared. In His teaching He sought to adjust the claims of heaven and earth, to turn men's thoughts from the present to the future. From their pursuit of the things of time, He called them to make provision for eternity.
However, in our day, very great changes have taken place in our order of priorities, for we seem to have lost to a large extent, the burning desire to seek and save the lost, that willingness to forsake all for the sake of the gospel. Many Christians are now heavily focused on their education, their 401ks, the politics of the day, the breaking news, and the numerous scandals which absorb valuable time and interest.
Yet, many of us hardly lose sleep over souls who are going down into Christ-less graves every day, to the point where some have become desensitized to the urgency of the moment, and the great need to help in finishing the work of the gospel to all the world. A certain news network had sent their camera crew to film the rescue of a cat that inadvertently climbed onto a high tension electric wire.
With the cameras rolling, and fire trucks and crew in a frenzy, they watched with baited breath as the rescue unfolded. Then, without a warning, the cat leapt from the electric pole and went his way, thus making the efforts of the rescue team useless. But, according to the statistics, on that same day, about 151,600 people died across the world, and most of them were never even mentioned.
Thus, if our energies and interests are bound up in the mundane things of life, whilst we hardly bat an eye to the needs of humanity, and the salvation of our fellowmen for whom Christ died, then we will need to re-examine where our priorities are, and make the necessary changes through the power of God, and deliberate sensible choices.
In fact, Jesus placed individuals, including Christians into one of two categories, the gatherers, and the scatterers. Those who are not actively gathering souls to Christ, are not merely sitting on the fence, they are scattering away from Him. Let’s read:
Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
Therefore, as we seek to remedy this lukewarm state of things, let’s turn to the examples given of the early believers, who, after the day of Pentecost had their minds rewired to serve, seek and save the lost. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, their main concern each day was “How can we win more souls to Christ?”
Their education, their retirement, their nest eggs, their entertainment, their work, and everything else was held in subjection to that singular purpose, and because of this, God was able to work tremendously through them, for the upbuilding of His kingdom. Let’s read:
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18 And laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.
19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly.
[A.A. pp 37] The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ. Putting away all differences, all desire for the supremacy, they came close together in Christian fellowship.
These days of preparation were days of deep heart searching. The disciples felt their spiritual need and cried to the Lord for the holy unction that was to fit them for the work of soul saving. They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely. They were weighted with the burden of the salvation of souls. They realized that the gospel was to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ had promised.
To the church of our day, a Laodicean paralysis has gripped many persons, and we too are absorbed in those things that are eaten and corrupted by moths on different levels. Yet, The Lord is calling as many as are willing to make the necessary changes in our priorities, and to work sacrificially, so that the world may be enlightened by the everlasting gospel given to our generation.
In lieu of the urgency of the moment, and the very short time we have left in which to accomplish the great commission given us, Christ gives us a gentle reminder of the work He has given us to do. And He is saying to us, that if we were to rearrange all our affairs in their proper order of priority, everything else downstream will fall into its rightful place. Let’s read:
Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.
9 Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:
11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
God Bless!