The preaching of the gospel is often likened to the sower scattering his seed in the field. Much of it is wasted as it falls upon stony ground, among thorns, or in shallow earth where it fails to take root. But here and there it falls into good ground, as yet another responds to the call of the gospel.
The sowing of the seed is carried out in a variety of ways; from the platform, radio, Sunday school, the printed page and by personal witness, each bringing forth fruit to the glory of God. This series of articles has been concerned chiefly with the latter method, that of personal witness, for it is felt that in this field there is scope for greater numbers to labour for Christ and that here also exists the great need of our time.
Personal witness — the spreading of the message by individual contact with others—can be engaged in by all who have responded to the call of the gospel. We can sow the seed among our neighbours, friends, workmates, in our own suburban environment, in country areas, or in distant lands. So long as men and women remain in darkness, outside the orbit of our normal preaching activities, we each have a responsibility to carry the glad tidings to them, and God will use us where the greater need exists, if we are willing to dedicate our lives to him.
Recent campaigns conducted in country areas in South Australia have revealed that within our own horizon there are still many who have never heard the good news of God’s coming Kingdom. Whether these weekend campaigns have been conducted on the basis of door-to-door work ,or with letter-box distribution of literature, the results have proved worthwhile and encouraging. They have been an inspiration and a joy to brethren and sisters engaging in them and have proved that, where there are willing workers, enthused with a sense of mission, there are also willing hearts, one here and one there, ready to respond. As a result of this work, in one area alone some forty miles from Adelaide, there are approximately twenty who have applied for and are receiving the Bible Correspondence Course. At present there are weekly meetings being held in two homes, where three have indicated their desire to learn the great truths of God’s Word.
One of these, a woman, originally accepted a booklet at the door and, after a conversation, showed an eagerness to receive the regular Bible Correspondence Course. She later attended an address arranged in the district and ultimately asked to have explained certain difficulties that had arisen in her mind. A visit was arranged to her home and these are now continuing on a regular basis. This person has been baptised before, but declared that at that time she did not understand the promises to Abraham and his seed. She volunteered the point herself that, as she learns more of God’s great plan and purpose, she may find it necessary to be baptised again.
In another home in this same district where regular weekly meetings are conducted are two gentlemen most anxious to learn the truth of God’s Word. The original contact was made over the front fence by two sisters, resulting in a profitable discussion. These two men were of another faith, but latterly had become interested in the Jehovah Witness Movement. By the grace of God we have watched the changed outlook that has taken place in the lives of these two, as they have veered away from human speculation and the true light of the gospel of Christ has dawned upon them. In God’s mercy it is our sincere hope and prayer that some fruit may be borne to the honour of his name through the sowing of the seed in this area.
How many other areas could be so covered by this simple means of personal witness? How many men and women are there living in darkness as the three mentioned, just waiting for that first contact, who could be reached simply by a knock at the door or a card in the letter-box? But this requires active service, personal effort, dedicated lives. In this work of sowing the seed, the true labourer for Christ will see before him a boundless, shoreless sea of unsaved humanity. As our sympathy for them broadens we shall see everywhere work to do.
The success of this work will not depend upon learned speeches, eloquent testimonies or deep argument. It will depend upon the genuineness of our effort, the veracity of the message and the complete answer it presents to the problems and and needs of the individual. While logic may fail to move, and argument be powerless to convince, a true Christlike spirit revealed in personal ministry may soften the stony heart, so that the seed of truth can take root.
Paul, the beloved Apostle declared, “I have become all things to all men, so that I might by all means save some”. This requires great wisdom to understand the science of presenting the gospel to men and women. There is no stock pattern: Of some have compassion, making a difference, and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire.” This is the great pre-requisite of every preacher of the gospel: an appreciation of the varying shades of human nature and a respect for the needs of the individual.
As the dawn of eternity approaches, when time and opportunity shall be no more, the urgent message to this generation of believers is, “Work while it is today —the night cometh”. At this late hour we know that there are still vast areas where the true gospel has not yet penetrated. We know that there are still men and women who die in darkness at our very door, who have never been reached and across whose lives the true light never shone. This is the great challenge of our time, which comes to all true believers, young and old, rich or poor, brother or sister; a challenge which calls for renewed vision, personal effort, a sense of mission, a dedicated life; a challenge to which we each have an individual responsibility, and for which one day we will be called upon to give an answer.
May the Lord of the harvest cause us each one, “to lift up our eyes and see, the fields that are white unto harvest”, and direct our attention to that specific corner of the vineyard where we can labour as workmen for Him.
Lord, What wilt thou have me to do?