The Main Thing

There are many things that are important, but there is one thing that is essential. The heartbeat of the mission of Christ—the driving purpose behind His life, death, and resurrection—was "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Oswald Smith put it this way: "Oh, my friends, we are loaded down with countless church activities, while the real work of the church, that of evangelizing the world and winning the lost, is almost entirely neglected."

Our church is a busy place, and I like it that way. I love that we have programs for fellowship and instruction and encouragement. But I never want us to lose sight of the fact that the primary focus—the most important thing we can do—must be winning the lost to Jesus Christ. There is no greater important priority for us. This is the final command that Jesus left before He returned to Heaven, and we must obey it.

Many times we lose our focus in the busyness of life. There are a thousand things—good things—that can keep us from doing the main thing. And though those things are not bad in and of themselves, they can be used to keep us from doing what matters most. The Bible said of Christ just before He met the woman at the well that He "must needs go through Samaria" (John 4:4). Jews in that day usually travelled around Samaria to avoid the people they looked down on, but Jesus needed to go there—He knew there was a hungry heart who needed a Savior, and He went where others would not go to reach her.

Today’s Gospel Declaration Principle:

Take time today to tell someone the Good News. Nothing you can do will matter more.