"You Never Mentioned Him To Me"

Song number 663 in Songs of The Church edited by Alton Howard (no date given) has the title of "You Never Mentioned Him to Me." It is the ultimately sad song about Christians who have to face their unsaved nieghbors one day at judgement--neighbors who will not be going to Heaven because the Christians did not reach out to them to warn of the coming judgment and Hell to follow. The song as composed sounds as if the un-evangelized neighbors will be the only ones with a problem. It may not be that way.

Though the song is poignant, it may be sad beyond what the composer depicted. It may not just be sad for the unbelieving neighbors. It may be just as sad for the Christians who didn't bother to evangelize. I know I wouldn't want anyone to make a comment like "You never mentioned Him to me" within earshot of the Lord and Master who will be judging me.

We know the basics--hear, believe, repent of sins, confess Jesus as our Lord, be baptized. And we would never say from the pulpit "Once saved, always saved." So why do some many of us live like we believed it? Why do so many excuse themselves from the Great Commission?

The same Lord who told us to hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized also told us to "Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). He said to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you" Matthew 28: 19. Why do we act as if this commandment was given only to the twelve apostles?

Jesus is the same Lord who taught us the parable of the talents in Matthew 25: 14-30. You remember the five talent, two talent, and one talent men. You also remember what happened to the one talent man. But even the one talent man could have been saved if he hadn't been lazy, that is, if he had been a little more industrious. The same principle is taught in Luke in the parable of the minas (Luke 19: 11-27). Why do so many today rush to the assessment that they are one talent people, or two talent? People who say they can't sell Jesus Christ sell earthly merchandise every day for a living. People who say they can't persuade others daily persuade them in classrooms. Christians who deny that they have any influence change the way our elected officials vote by making a phone call or writing a letter. Are you sure Jesus is reading your "net worth" statement the same way you are? We need to have that assessment correct before we come to the judgement.

But Brother Womack, what about the power of example? Can't I just live a good example, and leave all the evangelizing to other Christians? Certainly a good example of Christianity is needed; no amount of oratory skill will overcome a poor example. But stopping right there without even looking beyond is like asserting that we are the one-talent servant. What if we are wrong? What if we are a "closet" five-talent person? What if we had the power of example plus the ability to teach one-on-one or small groups? What if we have the technical ability to share our faith by computer, as in World Bible School? What's stored in everybody's closet is going to come out on Judgement Day. No one should want to get this wrong. God is the master accountant. He knows where He left the talents.

"You never mentioned Him to me" could be as much of an indictment against us in the church as it would be to an unbelieving neighbor, family member, or business associate. Be sure that we confess our faith in Jesus (Matthew 10: 32-33), "Then everyone who shall confess Me before men, I will confess him before My Father who is in Heaven. But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in Heaven. " The same Jesus said "If you love Me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). also said "Be thou faithful until death, and I will give thee the crown of life." Revelation 2: 10. Those commandments don't sound much like "Once saved, always saved." We are put upon this earth to carry out Christ's mission--to seek and to save the lost.

How much is God's tolerance for my laziness and indifference? If I knew that, I wouldn't be studying God; I'd BE God. Even Jesus said that it is not wise to tempt the Lord our God (Matthew 4 :7). Let's not push it, lest our fate become the same as those who never knew Christ. Put up a good showing in all of the areas of Christian life--evangelism, edification, benevolence.

Thanks for reading!

Sid Womack