February 2011 Press Toward the Mark

“Love Is in the Air” croons Tom Jones and other singers with increasing frequency as Valentine’s Day approaches.  Expressions of love abound as Valentine’s Day draws closer.  Estimates place the number of cards to exceed 140 million.  Other merchants are hoping for a significant increase in the purchase of candy, flowers, jewelry, and other items to complement the cards.

Sadly for far too many, they will fail to receive the greatest Valentine of all: Jesus.  John 3:16 declares that God loves our lost

 and depraved world so much that He gave His only son Jesus as the eternal and sufficient sacrificial payment for sin so that repentant believers in Jesus can receive the new birth of regeneration and salvation and thereby experience the highest level of love known to humanity.

Ohio Southern Baptists are cooperating through Mission Ohio to send God’s Valentine message of Jesus from Ohio to the ends of the earth.  We are seeking to reach at least 1,000,000 believers in 2,020 congregations by the end of 2020 in Ohio.  Through the Cooperative Mission Program, Ohio Southern Baptists support worldwide missions to send God’s message of love, mercy, and grace to a lost and dying world.

“Love is in the air…in the whisper of the trees…in the rising of the sun…every sight and every sound…Love is in the air.”  Regenerate believers easily recognize the Love of God in the general revelation of God through His creation.  As disciples of Jesus, we must obey His command to declare the special and unique revelation of God’s love: Jesus Christ.  We must proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth.  The State Convention of Baptists in Ohio exists to assist Southern Baptist Churches and Associations to obey His Great Commission.

Yes, “Love Is in the Air.”  We must ensure that lost people are hearing the Biblical message of God’s Love revealed in Jesus Christ.  Let’s press toward that mark.