THE MAN GOD USES – CHAPTER XVII – Oswald J Smith

OUR TWOFOLD TASK

IT is necessary that we have very clear and definite views regarding our responsibility.

Not only must we do God’s work; it must be done in His way. Our greatest danger perhaps is that of multiplying organizations and broadening our mission until the important and essential task for which’ we exist has been either lost sight of or is entirely crowded out.

So far as the work is concerned we have no difficulty. Our instructions are clear. In Acts 6:4, we have these words: “We will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.” Our first task, therefore, is “prayer” without which all our work will be ineffective. And the second to which we are called is “the ministry of the Word.”

In Acts 1:8 we are designated as the Lord’s “witnesses” and in Mark 16:15 our instructions are unmistakable: “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” And again, “Preach the Word” (2 Tim. 4:2).

If we are true to these two tasks, viz., “intercession” and “witness-bearing,” we will have our hands more than full.

Our prayer obligation will be discharged both privately and publicly; while the Word can be ministered “to every creature” in several different ways. It can be proclaimed from the pulpit; it can be done through personal work, individual to individual; it can be ministered through the distribution of Gospel tracts, etc.

To be true to our twofold task will mean the elimination of all machinery, organization and activity that does not accomplish God’s definitely stated work. While, on the other hand, the introduction of these things is bound to obscure the vision and crowd out this great twofold task which has been committed to the church.