Dangers of list-making

We can create a database of people groups, or languages, or cities, or provinces, that need to be reached with the Gospel.

We can create a definition of “finished” - the group “is reached” when …

We can assign measurements to the records in the database, to separate the finished from the unfinished.

We can publish the data to a website, so that the whole world can see the remaining task.

Since we have created the database and the website, we technically own the ability to update it. … (that is, we have the access points, user IDs, passwords, etc., required to technically update the list.)

We are passionate about the list, so we all have the desire to do the research to update it.

We are the gatekeeper for the list, to ensure its quality.

All of this can be very good, but …

The danger comes should we begin thinking that this list defines the remaining task as God sees it. … that these things must be done in order for the end to come … … that when these things are done, Jesus will return.

Our lists are indicators and explorations of the remaining task as best we can see it, but we do not hold the Book of Life.