Death and Hell are mounted on their awful steeds, and are hotly pursuing the whole host of mankind

Austin Gardner • June 1, 2023

we are not to gauge our fidelity or our success, or our Master's approval by the number of converts

Arthur T. Pierson, in his book "The Divine Enterprise of Missions," writes the following: 


"We are both to look for and pray for results, but we are not to gauge our fidelity or our success, or our Master's approval by the number of converts; nor is the herald to wait in any one field until conversion has done its work, before he goes to the regions beyond. The danger is common to all; Death and Hell are mounted on their awful steeds, and are hotly pursuing the whole host of mankind: if those whom we warn will not hear and heed, perhaps others will; and, in any case, we owe to all the same privilege and opportunity of hearing and heeding." 


We are to go. We are to pray. But hearing "Well done thou good and faithful servant" is not based on numbers but obedience in going and praying. 


I ask you to think and pray over your life, church, and ministry and consider whether or not the evangelization of the world is your priority. I love what he says, "Death and Hell are mounted on their awful steeds," chasing down the lost to take them to hell. 


What are we doing to make a difference? It becomes so easy to focus inward. When we do, our church and people seem to grow in importance while the lost world dims and diminishes in our minds. It is time to lift our eyes to the harvest. The harvest is white, mature, and ready for harvest, but where are the laborers? 


So few workers, so much need, and possibly our unwillingness to see beyond the corner of Elm and Main Streets to a world He calls us to evangelize. 


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