“If we’re not multiplying, we’re backsliding.”

I’ll explain that statement in a moment.

David Wheeler was with us this weekend. He’s a professor of evangelism at Liberty University/Seminary and a past prof at our Southern Baptist seminary in Texas. During a retreat with our deacons/pastors and our wives Saturday, he made the above statement.

What he was saying is that any Christian who is not engaging in evangelism is backsliding. We can take all the classes we want at church, but if we are not sharing the gospel with lost people we’re not growing or obeying Jesus.

It’s easy for us to substitute Bible study for obedience, learning for doing, and coming to church for going to the lost. Jesus said we would be fishers of men if we follow Him. The obvious implication is that we’re not following if we never fish.

David’s statement can seem harsh. The truth often does.

What about you? Are you multiplying or backsliding?

Pastor Steve Hogg