POINTING THE FINGER – can our ‘neighbours’ accuse us?

Henry Ford did not invent the automobile. Henry Ford did not invent the assembly line. Henry Ford was responsible for transforming the automobile into an innovation that profoundly shaped the 20th century.  He, together with many other intelligent men, over a period of seven years,  perfected the assembly line by installing driven conveyor belts that could produce a Model T in ninety-three minutes.  More than any other one person, Henry Ford and his forward-thinking genius continues to affect our lives today.

Henry Ford left us many words of wisdom ~ among my favourites ~
#  Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again,
this time more intelligently.
#  Obstacles are those frightful things you see
when you take your eyes off your goal.
#  You can’t build a reputation on what you are GOING to do.

The spiritual applications to these are obvious and many Scriptures come to mind, but I am thinking especially of another challenging word from him, spoken to a close friend.

When Henry Ford purchased a large insurance policy, the Detroit Times blazoned the fact.  A very close friend read the story and asked Henry if it was true. He asked why, since they were close personal friends and he had been selling insurance for many years, the policy had not been purchased from him. 

Henry Ford simply replied, “You never asked me”

My first thought, on reading this, was in the words of
James 4:2  You have not because you ask not.

We have so many precious promises from God that He will supply our needs, but sometimes we miss out simply because we do not turn to Him, trusting Him to keep His Word.  We have not because we ask not.

Soon, my thoughts turned in another direction
as I remembered a poem I had read and I was forced to ask myself
How many people do I know
who will be able to point the finger at me
and say ‘you never asked me about my spiritual condition’.

I know what is recorded in this poem this could never happen,
but is there someone who, if it was possible,
could POINT THE FINGER at us and echo these words?

FROM ETERNITY’S MORNING
You lived next door to me for years.
We shared our dreams, our joys, our tears.
A friend you were to me in deed –
A friend who helped me when in need.

What sadness then, my friend, to find
That after all you weren’t so kind.
The day my life on earth did end,
I found you weren’t a faithful friend.

For all those years we spent on earth,
You never talked of second birth.
You never spoke of my lost soul
And of the Christ Who’d make me whole.

I plead today from hell’s cruel fire
And tell you now my last desire.
You cannot do a thing for me;
No words today my bonds will free.

But do not err my friend, again,
Do all you can for souls of men.
Plead with them now quite earnestly,
Lest they be cast in hell with me.

Lord, open my eyes to see others in their lost condition. Open my ears to hear Holy Spirit’s leading.  Open my lips to speak His words.  Open my heart to love all I meet and to long for their salvation. 

2 Corinthians 5:19-20  NASB  
Now all these things are from God,
who reconciled us to Himself through Christ
and GAVE US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION,
namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself,
not counting their trespasses against them,
and HE HAS COMMITTED TO US THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ,
as though God were making an appeal through us.

 2 Timothy 4:1-2  NASB
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who is to judge the living and the dead,
and by His appearing and His kingdom:
PREACH THE WORD;
be ready in season and out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

 1 Corinthians 9:16  NASB
I am under compulsion;
for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.

The Christian who does not EVANGELISE will FOSSILISE