We are continuing the series on the motives and driving
force of evangelism in the book of Acts.
I would like to call the fourth motive: a strong sense that
it is the right thing to do.
But Peter
and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to
you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have
seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20 ESV)
You may ask, “how is this different from the previous post,
on obeying the great commission out of a sense of duty and obedience?” It is different in that one can still be
dutiful or obedient while not being convinced of something’s rightness. One child may clean his room because he has
learned to be obedient to his mother. Another child may clean his room because
he has learned to be obedient and he
knows having a clean room is right and good.
So it was with the apostles. They didn’t simply obey the
Commission out of duty or out of love for others. After all, love for others
will only get one so far and for so long.
Knowing that what you are doing is intrinsically right and good is the
fuel that will power you to the end. It
is isn’t the only fuel, since there are three more motives, so perhaps we
should call it one of the additives.
In your own life and work, are you committed to ministry and
to missions simply out of duty or because you truly know that it is right?
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