Concentration is outnumbering the opposition. The smallest ratio of effective concentration is two to one; but even being outnumbered five to two by the opposition is much better than being outnumbered five to one. Jesus practiced this in Scripture. He did not go alone until the cross. He picked twelve. Then He picked three at the transfiguration and in the garden. Jesus sent the seventy out in pairs:
“After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go” (Lk. 10:1).
Paul and Barnabas were sent out together. Barnabas and Mark went together. Paul and Silas went together.
There were instances where Paul went alone but realized he needed help:
“The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. The men who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible” (Acts 17:14–15).
“When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ” (Acts 18:5).
“Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said good-by to them and went on to Macedonia” (2 Cor. 2:12–13).
Paul had an open door. He did not take it because he had no one with him.
“For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever” (2 Cor. 7:5–7).
It is much better to preach the gospel in pairs at least.
*Excerpted from Weapons & Tactics. To purchase, visit ccmbooks.org/bookstore.
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