Gospel Meetings And White Fields

by Micky Galloway

The Lord said, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest” (John 4:35). When we lived in Arkansas, we had the opportunity to see huge fields of cotton that gave meaning to the expression “fields … white already unto harvest.” Just imagine four hundred acres of cotton, a literal sea of white, ready to be harvested. The words of the Lord are echoed by the apostle Paul as he spoke of an “open door” or a “door for the word” (I Corinthians 15:9; II Corinthians 1:12; Colossians 4:3). John wrote of the “open door” which no man can shut (Revelation 3:8). Opportunity “knocks,” it does not beat the door down. As we drive into the Antelope Valley and stop at Vista Point on the side of the pass to view the valley below, we are reminded of opportunity. Living in the valley are more than 300,000 souls in need of the gospel. This writing concerns itself with opportunities that are ours to teach God’s Word and our preparation and determination to take advantage of these opportunities. To be a Christian is not a dead belief, but a vibrant way of life that deeply affects our standard of conduct. A part of that conduct is our consciousness of those about us who are lost. During our recent gospel meeting, we have learned necessary things to living the life of a Christian. Our studies have emphasized that even one person can have a great impact in this world. Now that our gospel meeting has closed let us practice what we have learned that we may grow individually and that others might share in the blessings of the gospel.

Let us continue to pray for an “open door.” The apostle Paul asked the Colossians to pray for him, “withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds” (Colossians 4:3). Perhaps the very reason things are not more favorable for the growth of the church is our inability to see that we live in a “lost and dying world.” Let us pray for the lost and pray for opportunities to teach them. James said, “The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working” (James 5:16). There are masses of souls who are hungering and thirsting for the truth. Many question their religious convictions. Some know they are at sea without chart or compass. We have a great opportunity to teach what we know. Let us rid ourselves of the fear of the responsibility associated with open doors and commit ourselves to take advantage of these opportunities.

Let us get past “me-ism.” Too many focus so entirely upon themselves, “me first,” that we fail to see opportunities and therefore fail to act when they abound. Paul said some would become “lovers of self” (II Timothy 3:2). Yet, the same apostle taught, “Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, unto edifying” (Romans 15:1-2). Even among brethren there is opportunity to teach. Paul said, “Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). “Let no man seek his own, but (each) his neighbor's (good)” (I Corinthians 10:24). Paul also said, “Not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others” (Philippians 2:4). Wouldn’t that go a long way in our efforts to teach others? What a “door” of opportunity we have to restore those who have become wayward (cf James 5:19-20).

Let us believe in the power of the gospel. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16-17). In a world that held the gospel in contempt, Paul with the threat of persecution preached it boldly (cf Acts 19:8). He had seen the gospel at work among Jews first and also among Greeks. “The words of eternal life” are words that are “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12). The gospel is ever relevant and can transform your neighbor and mine if they will receive it with the realization that it is the revelation of God. Indeed, we have in our possession the power of God to change lives, but failure to proclaim it results in continued ungodly living that leads people to hell! Jesus commanded, “Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby” (Matthew 7:13-14). On that broad way leading unto destruction will be someone’s mother, father, grandparent, friend, neighbor or work partner. In that great day of judgment will they say, “You met me day by day and knew I was astray, Yet never mentioned Him to me”?

Reaping the harvest of lost souls will not occur by accident. Let us prepare ourselves for the greatest work on earth. Now that our gospel meeting is past, let us focus our minds on opportunity that has been presented. Indeed, the fields are white unto harvest. Someone has said that there are four hinges upon which the gates of opportunity swing: initiative, insight, industry, and integrity. Let us never forget that procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.