Many of us risk being caught asleep when Jesus Returns. The Disciples when asked to stand watch and pray at Gethsemane fell asleep. Jesus then told the parable of the ten virgins, how five kept their lamps lit with expectation for the Bridegroom's return (Jesus Christ), while the other five let their lamps burn out and fell asleep. (Matthew 25).
This slumber is not merely being exasperated by End time eschatology or failing to expect Emmanuel's Return; I believe it is being busy doing what you shouldn't. There is so much that wastes our times, where we spend our hours in fruitless labor. One example is social media. While I applaud staying connected with other Christians and even endeavoring to reach the lost; facebook, twitter, and other social networking sites can become a place where people spend too much of their time. The scroll and scroll, when they could be seeking Jesus and developing that deeper relationship before His Return.
I think many will be ashamed of how asleep they were; how much time was spent on fruitless things. The world, even the Church is enraptured in all the superhero mythos, fantasy fables, and other escapes that they fail to pay attention to being Raptured (caught up) and living righteously. We are either going to be fit or unfit for the New Heaven and Earth. Many will be saved as if by fire, with all their works burning up and themselves only remaining." (1 Corinthians 3:15). I am not preaching a works doctrine, for St. Paul said, "It is not by works, but by Grace that we are saved." (Ephesians 2:8). I am not talking about salvation, at least not the kind of salvation that deals with eternal life and heaven. Right now we have an opportunity to draw closer to Christ in this fallen world and reach lost souls.
Time is running out and we need to be laboring to bring more into the Kingdom, more into the Family of Christ. We should not take for granted the little time that is left. So many have been exasperated by end time teachers, but the end is closer now than ever and as one great author said, "each generation should treat itself as the terminal generation, that Jesus is coming back in their life time." (The Last Days, Robert Lightner).
Too many are taking Gethsemane for granted. The Disciples did not expect that night to be the final hours before Jesus' death. Granted Jesus rose from the dead and spent forty days with them afterwards; we must be careful as Christians because the stakes have been raised. This time Jesus is returning and those who are not awake will be help to the account. Jesus says, "I say to you, everyone shall give an account for every idle (empty) word they have spoken," (Matthew 12:36). I believe we shall also be held accountable for being idle. I think Jesus will say to many, "could you not stay awake until my coming? You could have reach many and led them out of temptation, but instead you choose to be idle and now many must face my ire." I don't think Jesus' words will be condemning, for "there is no condemnation in Christ," (Romans 8:1) but I do believe He will be disappointed, just like when we spoke to the Disciples after Transfiguration, "You unbelieving generation, how much longer do I have to stay with you? How long shall I put up (bear, suffer) with you?" (Mark 9:19) and "Why were you afraid, do you not have faith?" (Mark 4:40).
We have a chance in this life to share the love of Christ. To show people the Truth, The Way, and Life. In Jesus is all Truth, apart from Him is only lies. In Jesus is the Way, the Way to true love, purpose, happiness, trust, and all good things. In Jesus is life, He is the Life, He breathes life into us and life into all that we do; without His life all is death and ultimately the Second Death which is hell. We should be excited in these end times and seek to evangelize the world!
I don't want to be caught asleep, slumbering in a seat of entertainment, when I could have been laboring in evangelisms! What matters more? That we see our favorite show or that we share the salvation of Jesus Christ?! The answer is of course evangelism! Now maybe you feel you aren't gifted in sharing the Gospel, well with practice, the Holy Spirit's help, and some training you can be. Sometimes we narrow evangelism down to tracts and bull horn preachers on boxes in town squares. Evangelism is the work of Missions. You can go to other countries if you love to travel and share the Gospel to people in Africa and any nation you like! You can evangelize on a blog, social media, or through the most potent style; lifestyle. Now lifestyle evangelism does have some downsides, you need to be proactive in showing your faith in Christ to your friends. Another way is what William Wagner calls "Relational Gospel; in which you develop such a loving friendship that the other person wants to know your faith and why you are so loving." (William Wagner). Relational Gospel dovetails from lifestyle evangelism, but it requires what I believe is a more honest message sharing; investing time and really loving the people as Christ loves the Church.
The goal is not numbers, to say "I lead thousands to Christ, look at me!" Its not about filling quotas. It is about leading people to God in Jesus Christ! It is sharing with them the greatest and most loving relationship they can ever have! Jesus is alive! He said, "I desire that all be saved." (). Jesus loves everyone and wants them to be with Him in eternity. Its not about bulling and seducing people with promises of blessings, but in showing them The Way, The Truth, and the Life! Choose today to reach people for Christ in a way that you know you can do! Remember, that if someone hadn't shared the Gospel with you, that you would still be blind, alone, afraid, and trapped in sin that leads to death and the darkness of hell. Have concern, people need Jesus and as one eloquent believer said, "you maybe the only Bible anyone will read."
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