If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 TNIV)
It is time. Time for the church to forcefully advance the kingdom of God. It's time to realize that we have to get outside the four walls of the church building and reach the lost. That is the great commission that Christ gave us. We have to go into the world and make disciples. We have to get people to believe in Jesus and be "saved".
For too long we have looked inward when it comes to church, and we have focused on who is inside the building instead of reaching those outside. While I do believe the church has to present opportunities for the attendees to grow, our main focus is to get people to confess their sins, believe in Jesus, and then let Him change their lives. We need to let people know that they don't have to clean up to come to Him. They can come as they are: dirty, messed up, bottom of the barrel sinners (I was there too). All they have to do is take one step towards Him, and He will come the rest of the way.
Those who are already saved need to learn that being a Christian is not a spectator sport, and that the church doesn't owe them a handout to Heaven. Once saved, ALL of us are commanded to grow in our relationship with Him, and then bring others to know Him. It is our responsibility to get involved with the ministries of our churches, not wait for a handout from the pastor on Sunday morning. If you are a Sunday morning Christian, you are missing the point and a more than abundant life. God gave us all talents, and WE are responsible for getting involved and offering our talents to the ministry. Get past your pride and quit waiting to be asked. Stop being lazy, and you know if you are. Go and offer your time and talent to move the kingdom forward.
We are in a war, and time is growing short. It is time for God's people to get into the fight and make a difference. Stand up, be a man or woman for Christ. Do what he has called you to do. Shut off the reality tv for a little while so you can read His word and pray. Chase after Him and He will change your life for the better. Then go to those who need the same thing.
Get in the fight! Lets go out and save those who need Jesus. You have been challenged. Now what will YOU do with that challenge...
