By Robert E. Coleman
An incident in the life of Uncle John Vassar illustrates what I mean. A zealous soul-winner for the Lord, he served as a Colporteur for the American Tract Society. One day as he tried to share the Gospel with a lady, she cut him off and would not accept a tract. Not to be outdone, however, the old gentleman asked if he could sing her a song, and then proceeded to raise the verse!
But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
'Tis all that I can do.
As he finished singing, the woman was utterly subdued, and ultimately became a Christian. Giving her testimony in church, she said: "Ah, those drops of grief, those drops of grief -- I couldn't get over them!"1
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I am not suggesting that anyone follow Vassar's eccentric style. Methods of witnessing are variable, and have no virtue in themselves. It's the love prompting them that makes all the difference. Would it be unfair to ask: how is your love for Jesus finding practical expression in ministry to the sheep?
As you ponder the question, consider carefully the priority of bringing the witness of Christ into the marketplace of today's unreached world -- fields white unto harvest, yet where so few servants are laboring.
Do you realize that nearly half the peoples of the earth have not heard an intelligent presentation of the Gospel, and that they will not have the opportunity unless someone who knows the Savior crosses the boundaries of their culture, identifies with them, and builds a bridge of love? Can you be that person? One who will answer the cry of the lost multitudes: "Come over and help us!" If you cannot go yourself, can you support one to take your place?
Is your name being called? "Suzie, Ralph, Simon son of John, do you truly love me? Then feed my sheep."
III
Lest some think that ministry is optional, Jesus concludes His discourse with the command: "Follow me" (
John 21:19-22). Obedience to Christ is finally the test of our love.
Actually this truth was put to the disciples in the beginning when they were asked to come with Him (
John 1:39-43). It was their obedience to His word which enabled them to become a part of His fellowship and continue to learn of Him. He did not ask them to follow what they did not know to be true; but what they did understand, He expected them to practice.
"Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord," Jesus said, "will enter the kingdom of heaven," but only those who do the will of God (
Matt. 7:21; cf.
Luke 6:4-6). "If you love me, you will obey what I command" (
John 14:12). "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me" (
John 14:21; cf.
14:23-24). "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in His love (
John 15:10; cf.
15:12).