Bible Studies

Sad to say, but Mark 4: 19 presents an accurate assessment of the productivity of many who claim to be “followers” of Christ.

“… the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things enter and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful (Mark 4: 19 NASB2020).”

The quality of one’s post (after) salvation spiritual life does nothing to either enhance or to diminish the integrity of the salvation that a born-again believer has already received. But it can impact HOW Heaven will be experienced. Some born again believers will receive reward and privileges (1) that others will forfeit.

Followers of Christ do not live for Christ (2) in order to be rewarded, but God has made it clear that He intends to reward and privilege in Eternity future, those who live for Him now, during their time here on Earth.

In Mark 4: 19, the Lord was speaking about the lack of productivity in the post (after) salvation spiritual lives of Heaven-bound, born-again, believers.

Compare Mark 4: 19 with Mark 4: 20 where the advancing disciples produce 30, 60, and 100 times over.

With the modern means of communication that we have available today, one‘s personal missionary field can be much broader than it was when Mark 4: 20 was composed in the First Century AD. We can instantaneously communicate with individuals and groups around the world.

Communicating the unadulterated Gospel Message to those in need of salvation, and sharing principles of Bible Doctrine with fellow believers in need of edification, is what the post (after) salvation spiritual life is all about.

This Mark 4: 20 productivity is measured by the extent that one is used by God to evangelize unbelievers and or to edify fellow believers. Like a runner in a torch-relay race, one can only be used to pass along to others what he or she has first received for him/herself.

Only a very small percentage of born again believers are called to be ordained evangelists or pastor-teachers. The ones that are, face a greater accountability for the quantity and the accuracy of what they teach (3).

However, e-v-e-r-y born again believer is called to participate in the Great Commission daily, be they at home, work, school, or play.

Followers of Christ (aka Christians) are NOT accountable for the response that others make, but they are responsible and accountable for using the opportunities that God provides them with, to evangelize (present the Gospel to those who have not been born again) and to edify (share principles of Bible Doctrine) fellow believers.

It is only by doing so, that one fulfills his or her individual part in the Great Commission (4).

Born again believers, followers of false religions, and atheists can ALL choose to practice relatively good behavior and minister to the logistical needs of other people, by providing them with such things as food, shelter, clothing, and medical attention. They can do so directly, or indirectly by supporting organizations that do.

If good behavior and good deeds is the basis on which entrance into, and the receiving of reward, in Heaven is to be experienced, then followers of false religions and atheists (who do such things) would be entitled to at least some reward and time in Heaven.

The truth is that millions of deceived souls are headed for the Rev. 20: 15 lake of fire, and many future residents of Heaven will leave the 1Cor. 3: 12-15 event without reward!

Its not that God did not love them, its they who did not love Him.

“If you love Me, you WILL keep my commandments (John 14: 15 NASB2020).”

One cannot claim to obey the Mark 12: 31 commandment, and then not be concerned about the salvation and edification of others.

“You SHALL love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31 NASB2020).”

Human rationalization and the devil would have us take the position that the spiritual status and well-being of others is none of our business. Jesus made it the business of His followers when He issued the Great Commission. His followers made it their business the day they picked up the cross to follow Him.

The Word of God (5) makes it clear that one MUST be born again to enter Heaven, and that eternal life is an unmerited gift (6) from God that He bestows on ALL born again believers.

In addition, the born again believers who become advancing disciples will receive reward and privileges for their Mark 6: 20 production.

Granted, humanitarian activities benefit the BODY and improve the EARTHLY living conditions of those served, but these things, in of themselves, do not SAVE, nor do they spiritually EDIFY, a soul.

Humanitarian activity can be used to draw large crowds, but unless UNBELIEVERS in attendance are given the opportunity to hear (and to respond) to the unadulterated Gospel Message, or unless fellow BELIEVERS in attendance are given the opportunity to hear (and to respond) to an edifying principle of Scripture, the recipients of the food, clothing, shelter, and medical aid will leave the event just as SPIRITUALLY poor, hungry, and naked (7), as they were when they had arrived.

If just one Hell-bound person in attendance is saved, or if just one believer in attendance is edified, then the humanitarian project will have eternal value and success, as well.

Just something as simple as placing a card with the unadulterated Gospel Message in the pocket of the clothing, or on the bag or box of food being distributed, might make the difference between Heaven or Hell, reward or no reward, for the recipient.

I recently attended a gathering where the speaker from a local food bank reported distributing boxes of food to hundreds of needy families in the area. He received a hearty applause from the audience. Privately, I wondered what the result might have been in the spiritual realm, if these same recipients had been presented with the unadulterated Gospel Message or an edifying principle of Bible Doctrine, as well.

End of Part One

(1) 1Cor. 3: 13, 14/Rev. 2/Rev. 3 (2) Phil. 1: 21 (3) James 3: 1 (4) Matt. 28: 19, 20 (5) John 3: 7 (6) Eph. 2: 8, 9 (7) Rev. 3: 17