EVERY SUCCESSFUL ACT FOR CHRIST BEGINS INTENTIONALLY


Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish, but those that keep the law, happy are they.”

When you talk about vision, our passage today really is known as the hallmark of verses that deal with the subject. In his devotion book, My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers makes this statement about vision. “There is a difference between holding on to a principle and having a vision. A principle does not come from moral inspiration, but a vision does. People who are totally consumed with idealistic principles rarely do anything.”

I learned many years ago that principles are good and very important, but they are also standards by which we must stand firm in a world of shifting sand. I believe that Vision, on the other hand, could be worded as ‘Principle in Action.’ For instance, I, like you, want with all my heart to see every Pre-Christian I know, willingly come to a personal saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. As a dose of reality, I have learned that my wanting it to happen doesn’t make it automatically happen. Wanting this is a principle; but seeing myself used of God to reach certain people by putting a plan into place, well, that is what I call vision.

The reason that so many churches are dying today is because we so often mistake principle for vision. Note in our verse “but those that keep the law, happy are they.” Remember this; Principle gives us a position while Vision gives us Purpose. Solomon said that “where there is no vision, the people perish…” Let me take a brief moment and offer a little spin on that same verse as we apply it to our local churches and to the vision we must have for Pre-Christians. It goes like this: Remember this pastors and laymen, where there is no vision, the people will find themselves another Parrish!

On this very busy Tuesday I have a lovingly personal challenge to present to you. I challenge you to stretch yourself. Today, set a specific goal to take the time you need to focus on those you care about. Today, intentionally work on a personal approach for you to be able to lead just one person to trust Christ as their Savior. People don’t change their ways by accident. It is as true today in this the twenty-first century as it was in the very first century. The things that are getting done for Jesus Christ are not accomplished accidentally. Rather, in the same way, every successful act for Christ begins intentionally.



Have a great Tuesday and rest of the week!



Pastor Darryl