Worthy points, for sure.
Interesting question.
imho, some are called MORE to this arena, some MORE to that arena others MORE to another arena.
I have contended a LOT with pagans, animists, unbelievers, atheists, agnostics, Communists, Buddhists, Hindus . . . And still do . . . as it falls in my lap, to do so . . . whether at the univ, online, at the mall or impromptu at some restaurant.
For some time, it has not felt, seemed like, appeared to be my priority brief to emphasize those arenas in time and energy.
My . . . leading, maximum effectiveness, facility, anointing, peace in my spirit . . . etc. has not felt like it was nor appeared to be in those arenas and directions—not on the net, anyway.
The classroom is different and a LOT trickier on those scores—yet, also—with a greater aresenal due to the face to face aspect. I may have more effectiveness in the classroom—yet with far smaller numbers. I think the raw numbers of ‘above average anointed sentences & paragraphs’ are very likely to absolutely hereon.
The Body of Christ is riddled . . . as are so many of us as individuals . . . with fractured focus . . . divided loyalties, inordinate-unfitting-preferences, sinful pollutions and bondages of mind and action; . . .
We are exhorted that God will begin cleaning house with the Body of Christ first.
LOVING GOD AND ONE ANOTHER, as you have articluated well so often are the ultimate, most urgent, paragon, most redemptive, most crucial . . . priorities.
Exhorting one another daily; iron sharpening iron; warning a brother headed for the ditch; picking one another up from falling . . . are fitting, worthy, urgent and timely tasks.
And, there are luke-warm ‘believers’ of every label . . . as well as pagans of every label watching from the sidelines and borders . . . and pondering . . . with the enemy’s distractions, distortions and seductions.
Clear calls to right Biblical thinking and actions are warranted for such folks. Warnings about the cliffs, chasms and pits on all sides are fitting and crucial.
There are Jeremiah’s and there are Barnabases . . . Paul’s, Peter’s and Timothy’s. I’d prefer to be a Barnabas and have often been called such by those who know me best. Yet, I often feel most compelled in some contexts to be more of a Jeremiah . . . and have often been called so as well by those who know me best.
I doubt Jeremiah had a very big cheering section or support group. I don’t think even the Israelites acclaimed him Prophet or Pontificator of The Year at the annual awards banquet.
Rush L talks about being a warm & friendly ‘fuzz-ball’ . . . all the while wielding a very hefty verbal golf club right and left. I think of myself as a very warm, fuzzy, generous-hearted, empathetic and compassionate tender-hearted teddy bear full of hugs and kisses, too. I suspect some feel and see only the sharp spear of very pointed words.
I don’t know how to apply myself any differently to the ‘thrownness’ I feel the Lord casts me daily into. When occasion presents itself of His scheduling to contend more with atheists, agnostics and the like, I certainly do—whether it’s hereon, ATS (far more plentiful there—and far more resistent, ‘lost causes’ there, as well); or the univ.
Most don’t see, hereon, directly the ‘binding up of the brokenhearted’ believers etc. that I engage on hereon. Most of it is via FREEPMAILS.
So, Dear Sister in The Lord Angel-Gal, I don’t know how better to apply your wistful point, observation, exhortation. If you ever feel that The Lord has given you an exhortation I can apply better or more specifically on that score—please feel free—I’ll certainly take it immediately to prayer for possible application.
Truly we may be called to do different things in different places or with different people. The important part is to follow His leading and not do whatever seems right to us.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. - Romans 8:1-9