White Already for Harvest


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Our Lord compares unbelieving men to fields ready for the harvest. They are “fully ripe,” but who will go forth to the harvest? The need in our day is for men and women, like us, to fully understand the lateness of the hour and go forth to the harvest of souls. To properly view the fields that are “white already unto harvest” will enable us to labor in the Lord’s harvest and effectively minister the gospel to others.

First, let us not be deceived into thinking the harvest can wait (v.35). Procrastination is one of those deadly sins we don’t like to think about, but for the unsaved there is no assurance of tomorrow “for now is the day of salvation.” Let us not be found sleeping in the harvest “as a son that causeth shame” (Prov. 10:5).

Second, let us lift up our eyes (v. 35). We cannot effectively witness for the Lord as long as we have our eyes upon ourselves. A life given to selfish desires cannot be used of the Lord. In this regard, if we give ourselves to either self-pity or self-esteem, our lives will be unprofitable to the Lord. We must turn from ourselves and from those things that would hinder our witness, and look to the Lord, otherwise our prayers for laborers in the harvest will be hindered (Luke10:2).

Third, let us look on the fields (v.35). A multitude of lost souls surround us. They are the fields “white already to harvest.” Let us look upon their miserable condition as poor, hell-bound, lost sinners having “no hope and without God in the world.” Not that we would seek to find fault with them, but that we would pray for them and give them the gospel while we wait patiently for God to bring forth the increase. We must never forget that others need to hear and to believe the good news of salvation.

We have received the Word of the Lord concerning the Great Commission; our responsibility is to go forth to the harvest. While this responsibility is certainly great, the rewards are likewise great, for we read, “he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal” (v.36). Is this so that we may boast in how many souls we have saved? No! But, as laborers in the harvest “both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together”!

My friends, there are countless millions that are walking in addiction to some sort of sin. We have the message of freedom in Jesus Christ. May we go forth with confidence albeit mixed with compassion and share this wonderful, liberating message!


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