A certain moral issue was being hotly debated in the early-1980s. I moved myself to feel led of myself to preach a message on it to the church to whom I ministered. I diligently researched the Holy Scriptures regarding the subject, and arranged my findings in a very systematic and orderly manner, and delivered the message. It was truthful regarding that issue, but devoid of Him who is The Truth.
A certain lady attended our worship service for the first time that Lord’s Day. She was in complete agreement with everything I said, judging from her facial expressions and head motions while I preached and from her comments after the message.
I realized that I had not preached the gospel to her. But, judging from her reception of the message I had just preached, I was confident she would return to hear me again. I resolved to ascertain that she heard the gospel of Christ when she did so.
She never returned! I never saw her again. I had only one opportunity to ever witness to her. But I had neglected it.
I often think of her when I read the declaration of Paul the apostle in Acts 20:26f: “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”
I regret that I cannot make the same declaration at the end of my ministry. I regret that I spent so many of the early years of my ministry preaching something other than the whole counsel of God, which is summed up in Christ and His gospel. I regret that so many sinners in need of Christ heard me preach something else. I regret that I was so late in resolving to preach Christ alone. I have prayed to be forgiven of this sin.
Perhaps some young man called of Christ to preach the gospel is reading what this old man now laments. Heed this counsel: “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:1f). No one can be saved apart from hearing the gospel Christ gave to you to preach (Romans 10:8-15; contrast Jeremiah 23:1, 16, 21, 30-32). And He holds you accountable for this stewardship (Ezekiel 3:16-21 / 33:1-9; 1 Corinthians 4:1f; Colossians 4:17). Do not waste your time meddling in the issues of spiritually dead men (2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9). Heed your Master when He commands, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). Learn what it is to confess that “necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). Endeavor to honestly and truthfully declare to your Judge at the last day, “I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.”
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