Another one from Greg

Greg Albrecht is on a roll today - here's another excellent thought from his PTM newsletter:

I believe that it is our duty, indeed our pleasure, as Christians, to share the good news with others. I do not believe that if we fail to do so that others will burn in hell. I believe that God uses us as his tools because he wants to, not because he has to. We are like the little boy who "helps" his father mow the lawn -- so he grasps the handles of the mower, but his feet don't touch the ground, so his father carries him around the yard as the young child "helps" mow the yard -- and when the task is finished the child has a sense that he/she helped. God does not need us -- he uses us because he wants to involve us in his kingdom. We are not the only hope for the world. God has his own ways of saving others. This does not mean that we should be content to spectate, and watch -- but it does mean that our involvement is not the only means of salvation for the lost. That's great news! After all, just take a look at the work that needs to be done, and for that matter, take a look at the work that wasn't done in history -- by Christians, by the church. There is hope beyond our efforts. Isn't that the message of the gospel? We are saved by grace, not by works? Exactly!!

In fact, it should be pointed out that the little boy who "helps" his dad mow is actually making the job more strenuous. Like many things in life, it's a lot easier to do the job yourself than to have others on board "helping" like this... but God invites us to help him share the good news about Jesus, knowing he's going to have to carry us in addition to pushing the mower. And all because he loves us and loves to honor our desire to work with Dad.

Very nice illustration, Greg!