Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
There are a couple of things in Jesus’ instructions to the seventy, sent out on their mission, that seem inconsistent with what we generally consider to be our mission.
Luke 10:7 (KJV)
And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
House-to-house visitation—door knocking—is almost considered a Christian essential, certainly an essential for any good church. I even knew a church in Oregon with the motto, “The Church with Acts 20/20 Vision.”
Acts 20:20 (KJV)
And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house.
Yet here, Jesus instructs the seventy not to go from house to house. And in our key text, He also commands them, “salute no man by the way.”
I remember a pastor, two decades ago, who taught in his soul-winning program that on soul-winning day—he encouraged making that Thursday—you should stop and give the gospel to every single person you meet. For him, the Thursday mission was to salute every man by the way.
We might try to explain this apparent contradiction away, except for one thing—the mission of these disciples was a soul-winning mission.
John Gill writes, “Our Lord's intention, by this order, was not to teach them incivility, or to be morose and uncourteous; but that they might dispatch their business with the utmost expedition, and rather forego some common civilities and ceremonies than to neglect, or in the least, hinder a work of so much importance they were sent about.”
His point, it seems to me, is that they were not to get distracted from their mission. It is easy to become so carried away with kindness and earthly concerns that we lose track of the very purpose of our presence. Like those modern churches that believe to be missions minded is to give socks to the homeless.
The Christian’s purpose is not merely kindness, charity, or good works. Our job is not to raise funds, feed the poor, or build hospitals. Our job is to preach the gospel.
· We ought to be kind.
· We ought to be charitable.
· We ought to care for the needs of the suffering.
But all of this is secondary to the eternal issues of heaven and hell.
Let nothing—and no one—distract you from these issues.
#SoulWinningFocus #PreachTheGospel #EternalMission #StayOnTask #NoDistractions
Stay on Mission: Avoiding Distractions in Soul Winning
Let’s stay focused on the mission—preaching the Gospel above all else! What distractions do you see most often in soul winning? Comment below!
Take action: Share the Gospel with at least one person this week—don’t let anything get in the way.
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