God's Sabbath

G OD ’ S W AY IN M ISSIONARY W ORK

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is still encased, he has no desire to see a Bible-worker. Conse quently, when the missionaries arrive at his door, the man makes it clear that he has no interest in listening to them. The callers, judging from what they see, decide that this is just another cold, disinterested lover of the world and turn away, satisfied that there is no point in calling at his address again. But after their departure, the Holy Spirit patiently con tinues His work until the soul is brought to deep repentance and longs for a true Christian to come and teach him the way of life. By this time the workers are several blocks or even suburbs away, methodically fulfilling a plan that is not of the Holy Spir it’s devising. It also shuts out any possibility of the Spirit’s lead ing them back to where light is needed. In this way the human system deprives the needy of help at the critical moment. But this is not all. It is an extremely inefficient system. So few in number are Christ’s true followers, that it would be physical ly impossible for them to visit every home in the world with the gospel invitation. Even if they had the financial resources, they would not have the time or the energy. But the Lord knows the exact whereabouts of each precious soul who is seeking the light as was the Ethiopian, and He has promised to guide missionar ies such as Philip, directly to them. He will lead His consecrat ed followers from the door of one such seeker to the door of the next, even if these doors are geographically separated by miles, or even countries. A far more effective approach would be for Christ’s professed followers to learn and practice His ways of missionary work. Their first and most important priority is to ensure that they do have the necessary spiritual qualifications, after which they must believe the promises of God assuring them that He will lead them to the very souls who are ready for their loving, un selfish ministry. “... to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:79. Christ’s Method