” James says God wants walkers, not just talkers.  In I John 3: 16-18, the Bible says, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  My little children, let us now love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”  (emphasis mine [K.P. Yohannan]). 

Caring is sharing.  Loving is sharing.  Missions is sharing.  The whole purpose of the church in this world can be summed up in that one word:  sharing.  That is what the agape love of the New Testament is really all about.  It is what the Great Commission itself is all about.

But millions of Christians are still in spiritual kindergarten because we have been taught only to acquire and receive rather than practice true love by sharing.  K.P. Yohannan, The Road to Reality

As I read this passage in K.P.’s book, I was reminded of a conversation I had recently with a good friend of mine that I go to church with.  I was lamenting my growing frustration at the rampant apathy I’ve witnessed concerning fulfilling the Great Commission, when my friend basically “scolded” me, proceeding to give a short lecture about how we’re not all “called” to go to other nations/places, and we’re not all “called” to do the same things for God’s Kingdom.  They informed me that I didn’t know the “hearts” of other Christians, and shouldn’t come across as if I did (basic translation.)  I agreed that I didn’t know what was in the hearts of other Christians but based on the statements that I had been given by many and based on their actions, I had a good idea.  I may not know the heart of a duck, but I have a good idea that a duck is, in fact, a duck by how it walks, looks and talks.  You know the saying…. 

In essence, I have witnessed a lot of talking lately about reaching lost souls but I’ve seen very little in the way of walking.  Although our spiritual gifts may differ, and our specific areas of ministry may differ, fulfilling the Great Commission is the calling AND responsibility of ALL Christians.  The sole purpose for God equipping us with our Holy Spirit-given gifts, and for us being taught how to become disciples is to fulfill the Great Commission.  While an area of ministry may need to focus on supporting the church, and catering to the humanistic needs of all, the majority of our ministries need to focus on reaching the lost of this world.  That is where the brunt of our time and resources need to be centered. 

God provided us with the ultimate demonstration of sharing many years ago when He sent us His only Son to die on the cross so that we may find redemption through His death and resurrection.  Without His love by sharing we would have no chance of ever being forgiven for our many sins, and one day walking in His awesome presence in His eternal kingdom. 

The time has come for Christians to start walking instead of talking.  While we are talking, satan is walking more and more lost souls straight into hell and eternal damnation.