We live in desperate times. Our lives, our families, our churches, our communities, and our nation reflect the ruinous effects of our sinful ways. To some degree we all have pursued the things of the world and stand guilty of worshipping the created, not the Creator (Matthew 6:24; 1 John 2:15).
Where do we place our trust? Have we abandoned our faith in the Lord? In many of our lives, our passion for Him has grown cold. We are guilty of bearing false witness before the God of the universe.
However far we may have wandered from the calling God has placed on our lives, God has not moved. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Apart from the cover provided by Christ's work of atonement, there is no hope for a stiff-necked people (Isaiah 13:11; Revelation 2:4). God's judgment is swift and sure; His wrath is without compare-only the blood of His Son holds back His sword of justice (Galatians 2:20). For those who call upon the name of His Son, His mercies are without end (Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21).
We must repent and come before the Father with a contrite heart. We need a heal-the-land kind of blessing (2 Chronicles 7:13-14).
We must, as people of God, enter into sacred assembly, prostrate ourselves before Him, confess our sins, repent of our transgressions, and thank God for His merciful blessings upon us (Joel 1:13-14, 2:12; Romans 12:1).
It is critical that the people called Southern Baptist individually and corporately renew their covenant commitment to the King of kings and Lord of lords (Mark 12:30).
Pastors, as shepherds of His flock, we urge you to call the Christ-followers in your care to consecrate themselves, to throw off that which distracts, tempts, or otherwise disables them from obediently following God (Genesis 35:2-5; Exodus 19:10-11; Joel 2:16). We need to make way for the Lord (Hebrews 8:10).
We join Dr. Bryant Wright, President of the Southern Baptist Convention, in calling Southern Baptists to a Solemn Assembly in January, that in the sight of God and His witnesses we might renew our commitment to Christ and the Great Commission (Zechariah 1:3).
May God alone be glorified.
Issued by the SBC Great Commission Council, comprised of the heads of each SBC entity and the executive director/treasurer of Woman's Missionary Union:
International Mission Board – Clyde D. Meador, Interim President
North American Mission Board – Kevin Ezell, President
LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention – Thom S. Rainer, President and Chief Executive Officer
Guidestone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention – O. S. Hawkins, President and Chief Executive Officer
Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary – Jeff Iorg, President
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary – R. Philip Roberts, President
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary – Charles S. Kelley, Jr., President
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary – Daniel L. Akin, President
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary – Paige Patterson, President
Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention – Richard D. Land, President
Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention – Frank S. Page, President and Chief Executive Officer
Woman's Missionary Union – Wanda S. Lee, Executive Director/Treasurer
