The work of evangelism is always important. But it seems that the efforts of the churches are not balanced. Instead of a proper concern for the maturing of the believers there is only the repeated emphasis that we must "preach the Gospel to the lost." But how about the lost of the churches?

When a person turns away from the world and is baptized in water, calling on the name of the Lord, the first step has been taken into the Kingdom of God. Then the new convert must come under the ministry of pastors and teachers who will place great emphasis on his growth in the Lord each day. The new believer must be fed, fed, fed the Word of God. He must be watched over to insure that he or she is not led astray by false teaching.

It does no good to get someone saved and then not teach and guide him until he is growing up to the stature of the fullness of Christ. The baby believer is not able to fulfill the Kingdom purposes of God.

Today the Christian churches are endeavoring to save souls. But in numerous instances they are not ministering adequately to those who already have received Christ.

Perhaps the assumption is being made that once the new convert joins a church the problem is solved. It is not. People attend Christian churches for fifty years and make very little progress toward spiritual maturity. But the emphasis on "saving souls" continues.

What will it require in order to bring the efforts of the churches into the balance presented in the writings of the New Testament? It is obvious that the New Testament places far more emphasis on righteous behavior, holiness of personality, and spiritual growth than it does on getting more souls saved. Perhaps we are operating according to our fleshly mind rather than listening to the Spirit of God.

God Almighty has chosen you and me to be members of the Body of Christ.

The Bible tells us if God's people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways He will heal their land. But we take this admonition and preach it to the world—our worldly government is supposed to pray, seek the face of God, and turn from its wicked ways.

The message of God is directed today to the lost, not the lost of the world but the lost sheep of the churches. It is the Christians who are living in sin and are being called on to humble themselves, pray, seek God's face, and turn away from their sins.

As God's people, we are to set our life aside and give ourselves to the gifts and ministries of the Spirit of God. We are to build up ourselves and others in the most holy faith.

If we diligently, faithfully respond to the calling of God our role throughout eternity will be to represent God as His Servant throughout His creation. If we are careless we face any number of dreadful consequences. If we neglect this great salvation we will not escape serious punishment.

So it always is with God's chosen. We receive double for our sins.

The dangers are great, especially in the present hour. But many that are last in time will be first in the Kingdom.

The rewards for serving Jesus Christ are fabulous beyond the imagination of the most exalted of the kings of the earth. What is our life but a vapor? If God chooses to conform us to His image, let us get on with the job, not looking back even once.

No one can stop you if you decide to serve the King. The nations of the earth, staggering around in their blindness and vomit, are waiting for your answer.

What will it be? (from Justice for the Nations)