As I sit in church on Sunday mornings, I notice the number of empty seats. Some are accounted for the people who have died. A few of the empty seats can be counted towards people who have moved out of the area.
Most of the seats are those that have never or almost never been filled.
During Memorial Day as we drive around paying our respects, we see churches that are closed, never to be open again.
As we look around our neighborhood, campground, town, or our church, how many people are living their lives without giving God or the Church a second thought?
We tell ourselves that you don’t have to got to church to be a Christian but inwardly we know that their status is unknown to us. Will their children grow up loving the Lord or knowing God even though they have never been to his house? Do they know anything about God, even though they never listen to him (read the Bible)? If you love someone, do you know anything about them and/or spend time with them when you can?
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
How can we make them interested?
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
All of those empty seats and churches represent people that Christ died for. “For God so loved the World..” (John 3:16) “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
How should we talk to the lost? “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders: make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:5-6) “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Of course, we must be prepared. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)
Most people do not have the correct priorities. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19)
Instead, we should listen to God. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:20)
I pray that when my journey on earth is through and I step through to the Glory of heaven, that I pull many up there with me (treasure) or at least push them in the right direction.
So, I have a question. What are you going to do about it?
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