Christ's Sole Desire

August 6

“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers,” Acts 2:41, 42.

It is astounding how many people are receiving the good news of the Gospel of Christ today. Nations that have been virtually cut off from the message of salvation through Jesus Christ and His propitiatory life, death and resurrection are coming to the Lord in record numbers. And it isn’t because the regions of the world in which they live have softened their policies on evangelism.

Missionaries are still barred from the areas of our planet that have long been closed to the activities of missionaries and Bible societies. The occasional clandestine outreach may have some small measure of success, but there is a methodology in play for reaching the lost in the darkest regions of the world that is far more effective than anything that has yet been done in these parts of the globe.

The Lord Himself is visiting people who have not known Him through visions and dreams and signs and wonders. Jesus is busily “drawing all men,” even as He said He would in John 12:32. He has been lifted up and the risen Lord is introducing Himself to people around the world who have not been allowed to be introduced to Him via traditional means.

One visitor to a ‘closed’ country tells of being in one of two lines at a local post office in the city where he was visiting. He tells of a man in the other line who heard God’s voice speak to him that he should move into the second line and speak to the man who was described to him. When he approached the man with the story of his message from the Lord, the man eagerly shared the gospel with him. They met together several times before the foreign gentleman had to depart the area and much was accomplished through their encounters.

Another newly saved individual tells his amazing story of being awakened in the night by a brilliant beam of light at the opposite side of the room from his bed. When he looked at the light, a figure began to take form within it and then to emerge from it. The figure of light sat beside him on his bed and introduced Himself as Jesus. He told the man He loved him and had died for him and desired him to live eternally with Him in heaven. The man gave his life to the Lord in that moment.

When people receive the Gospel through such extraordinary means they are bold and fearless in their proclamation of the word to those around them. Once they have heard the voice of the King of kings, no edicts of earthly potentates can intimidate them. Once they have sat in the presence of the Holy One, no mere mortal can dissuade them from sharing the good news with whomever they encounter.

Once they receive the Truth that sets them free, they gladly become baptized and willingly devote themselves even unto death to the sharing of the Word and to the purpose of the Christ whose sole desire is that men be set free from the perils of sin and become alive in Him forevermore.