What would have been Paul's Take on GPS?

Much has been written and spoken about God's Plan for Sharing (G.P.S.) in recent months. By now you are aware that G.P.S. is not a program, but an emphasis or initiative by the S.B.C. to simply say, "we need to get back to making the main thing (sharing Christ with everyone), the main thing!" This initiative comes as our beloved convention is experiencing years of a lack of growth in this key statistic representing souls being "born again" into God's Kingdom! A recent survey by Parade of spirituality in America revealed that although 69% of those surveyed said they believed in God, 59% said that all religions were valid and 50% said they seldom attend religious services. The truth is that we live in a time when Americans believe that any belief is valid and where syncretism or a mixture of beliefs is prevalent. Americans are in deep need of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

This summer while reading through the book of Romans, it hit me what I believe would be the Apostle Paul's take on this plan to share Christ with our fellow Americans. The text is Romans 15:14 - 22.

• Paul began by reminding the Roman Christians that just being good, knowledgeable and able to teach the truth about God and His Good News was just the beginning. He reminded these believers that along with the gift of grace to be a minister of Christ Jesus among the Gentiles came the responsibility of being His witness.
• In verse 16 Paul spoke of his offering of the Gentile believers’ souls to the Father, just as in old testament days a priest presented an offering before God. As I read this passage the question hit me "Who will you present to the Lord one day as an offering?" There was a song recorded by Ray Boltz a few years ago with the title "Thank You." It tells the story of a faithful Christian who dies and goes to be with the Lord. When he arrives in heaven there is a line of people waiting to thank him for his faithfulness in teaching God's Word, witnessing, living a godly life and giving his tithes and offerings, so that others could hear the Good News about the Savior! They were there to greet him and thank him! One day when you get to heaven will there be people there to greet you and thank you for teaching His Word, giving of your finances and witnessing of the Savior?
• In verses 17 & 18 Paul says that in Jesus he has found reason to boast about what God has done! How long has it been since you bragged about the changes the Father has brought in your life and in the lives of others that your know? Paul never boasted about himself, but he often bragged about the power of God to transform lives! Earlier this year the Father touched the lives of Grand Valley Baptists who have a passion for God and for His great outdoors. These believers organized an outdoors event and brought in an outdoors author, editor and photographer, who is a great witness for his Lord. That night in the midst of good food, great family fellowship and a great evening of entertainment, Charles Alsheimer shared what Jesus means to him and 33 precious souls prayed to receive Christ as their Savior. Since that night at least two others, who attended the event have prayed to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord! Like Paul, we need to brag a lot about what God has done and is doing!
• In verses 20 & 21 Paul talks about proclaiming the Good News where it has not been heard. The Apostle said that he had preached the Gospel from Jerusalem (in the east) to Illyricum (in the west) so that those "who had no news of Him shall see" (Is. 52:15). As I read these words a haunting question came to me, "Do I have the right to repeatedly hear this Good News when others around me have never heard?" We gather week after week in our comfortable church buildings and hear this precious Good News. We should continue this practice, but we should also, take this message of salvation to those outside of our buildings, who will never come until we first sit down and share the Gospel message with them outside our facilities! Paul told Timothy to "do the work of an evangelist." Sharing Christ is work we need to recommit ourselves to because it is an imperative!
• In verse 22 Paul says "for this reason I have often been hindered from coming to you." What was Paul's ’reason’? What was Paul's meaning? Paul was saying that he desired to visit and enjoy the fellowship of the Roman Christians, but he had been hindered from visiting these Christians, because of the priority of proclaiming the Good News from Jerusalem to Illyricum! To Paul, fellowship with the Roman believers was important, however, fellowship with these Roman Christians was NOT AS HIGH A PRIORITY IN HIS Life AS PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS WHERE IT HAD NOT BEEN PROCLAIMED! Paul had his priorities right: sharing the Good News took precedence over fellowship with other believers! As Colorado Baptists, if we truly want to see thousands of our friends, acquaintances, coworkers, neighbors and family come into relationship with the Savior, we must make sharing Jesus our top priority. As Christians, what is our highest priority? Is it sowing Gospel seed or fellowship with other's like ourselves (believers)? If sowing is our priority, is it reflected in how we invest our money and our time?
• As Colorado Baptists we will never see our beloved state impacted with the Good News until we intentionally and regularly begin sowing the powerful life changing seed of the Gospel! We will never reap the great harvest, which we want to reap, until we begin daily asking the Holy Spirit to give us daily encounters with the lost and daily ask the same Spirit to speak through us the truth in love! As Colorado Baptists we must realize this fact and recommit ourselves to daily "doing the work of evangelists!" When we learn to sow with tears then we will reap in joy! "Lord, as Colorado Baptists break our hearts over the spiritual need of those around us every day. Give us the intentionality, focus and courage to daily share the love of Jesus with those you bring into our paths!"

Kent Shirley, Area Missionary

Grand Valley Association