pro 29v18 WHERE THERE IS NO VISION THE PEOPLE PERISH

 

 

 

"WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH..."

Prov. 29:18

 

Whenever a congregation of believers loses its sense of purpose and direction, or its sense of motivation and driving force, it is in a woeful condition. A church may be thoroughly orthodox in doctrine and precise in methodology, and yet be cold, lifeless, apathetic, and indifferent. No greater curse could ever befall us than that we should become satisfied with a form of godliness without enjoying the living power of God. God save us from the curse of the Laodiceans. If we would be full of life and zeal, and serviceable to our God we must have a fresh and constant vision before us.

 

We must have a vision of The Glory of God. Oh, that we might see him. "High and lifted up:" Nothing is so humbling and inspiring as a sight of the Lord upon his throne, in the fulness of his glory. If ever we should see the Lord, like Moses or Isaiah, in the fulness of his attributes, who can tell what we might accomplish for his sake?

 

We must also have a vision of The Crucified Christ. Wonder of wonders, the glorious God has engaged to save sinners! And he does it by giving his own Son to die in our place at Calvary. Brethren, let us ever keep the cross before us. Let us say, with Paul, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Whenever you feel a deadness stealing over your heart, seek a fresh vision of Christ dying in your stead, under the wrath of God. There is no medicine like this. Trace out the wonders of Redeeming Love; it will invigorate your soul. Go back again and again to Calvary. Here we find life. And here we find revival for hearts that have grown cold.

 

And we must have a vision of Our Work And Responsibility In This World. "Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest." "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." God has not established a church in this place so that we may simply rehearse the things that we believe week after week, or just so that we can write creeds and refine our doctrine, or so that we might study the best method of church government. God left us here with a work to do. And it is a glorious work. We are to preach the everlasting gospel to perishing sinners. Let's give ourselves wholeheartedly to the work!