How Do You View the Fields?

 SEE THEM AS POTENTIAL DISCIPLES

Read Acts 17:16-18.  Paul did not give up in the Athenians, even though their city was filled with idolatry, sexual immorality, and pagan philosophy; nor did he let their insults discourage him.  Paul himself became a Christian,  although he had been "a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent man." (1 Timothy 1:13)  Just as Jesus saw the potential in Paul, so Paul saw the potential in the Athenians. And his confidence was not misplaced. - ACTS 9:13=-15l 17:34. 

In the first century,  people of all backgrounds became Jesus' disciples.  When Paul wrote to Christians living in the Grecian city of Corinth, he said that some members of that congregation had at one time been criminals or had lived shockingly immoral lifestyles.  And then added: "That is what some of you were.  But you have been washed clean." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)  Would you have seen that those people had the same potential to change and become disciples? 

Today, many are willing to make the changes needed  to become disciples of Jesus.  In Australia, for example, a speical pioneer named Yukina learned that all sorts of people can respond to the Bible's message.  Once, at a real estate office, she noticed a tatooed young woman wearing baggy clothes.  "I hestitated for a moment," says Yukina, "but then I started talking to her,  I discovered that she was so interested in the Bible that some of her tatoos were verses from the Psalms!"  The woman began studying and atteding the meetings." 

Did Jesus view the fields as being ripe for harvesting because he expected that most peop'le would follow him? Not at all.  The Scriptures foretold that relatively few would put faith in him.  (John 12:37, 38) And Jesus had the miraculous ability to read hearts.  (Matthew 9:4) Still, he focused on those few who would believe, and he zealously preached to everyone.  How much more should we, who cannot read hearts, resist the tendency to judge a territory or an individual!  Instead, see people's potiential.  Marc, a missionary in Burkina Fasco, puts it this way:  "The people I think will make progress often stop studying.  But the people I think won't go far progress very well.  So I have learned that it is better to let Jehovah's spiroit lead us." 

At first glance, it may appear  that there are not many in the territory who are like grain that is ripe for harvesting.  But  remember what Jesus said to his disciples.  The fields are white, that  is, they are ready to be harvested.  People can change and become disciples of Christ.  Jehovah views these potential disciples as "precious things."  (Haggai 2:7)  If we see people as Jehovah and Jesus do, we will learn about their backgrounds and interests. We will view them, not as strangers, but as potential brothers and sisters.

Next time: How Do You See the Fields? -  Listen, Learn, and Show Compassion

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