Going Deeper in Our Commitment to Witness
In a world that often seems to be drifting further from faith, it's crucial for believers to renew their commitment to sharing the gospel. Recent studies have revealed a startling reality: while the majority of Christians believe it's their responsibility to share their faith, less than half have actually done so in the past year. Even more concerning, over half of professing Christians have never personally shared the gospel at all. These statistics should serve as a wake-up call for all of us who claim to follow Christ.
But why is there such a disconnect between belief and action when it comes to evangelism? For many, the answer lies in a four-letter word: fear. Fear of what others might think, fear of not knowing what to say, or fear of rejection can all paralyze us into inaction. However, we must remember that we're not alone in this mission. Jesus Himself has given us both the command and the authority to go forth and make disciples.
The Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:18-20, is not a mere suggestion but a direct command from our Lord: "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you." This passage reminds us that as we go about our daily lives - whether at work, school, or in our communities - we are called to make disciples.
Evangelism, at its core, is about obedience. Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." If we truly love Jesus, we will naturally want to share Him with others. Think about it - when we love something or someone, don't we eagerly tell others about it? The same should be true of our relationship with Christ.
But sharing our faith isn't just about fulfilling a duty; it should stem from a place of genuine compassion for those who don't know Jesus. In Matthew 9:36, we see that when Jesus looked at the crowds, "He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." Do we see people the way Jesus sees them? Are our hearts broken for those who are lost and searching?
It's sobering to consider that there are still 3.5 billion people on Earth who have never heard the name of Jesus. Even in traditionally Christian areas, we're seeing a rise in individuals and families with no concept of God's Word or who Jesus is. If we remain silent, what will happen to them?
We must remember that friends don't let friends die and go to hell. When we start seeing people the way Jesus sees them, we'll look past their outward appearance and see their hearts, recognizing that without Christ, they face an eternity separated from God. This realization should move us to action, even if it means being perceived as offensive. As Charles Spurgeon powerfully stated, "If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay."
Sharing our faith shouldn't be a one-time event but a consistent lifestyle. In 1 Peter 3:15, we're instructed to "always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." Our lives should make others thirsty for what we have in Christ. When was the last time someone asked you about your faith? If we're living as salt and light in the world, people should notice something different about us.
It's important to note that there's no such thing as an "undercover Christian." If you're the only one who knows you're a Christian at work or school, you might need to reevaluate how you're living out your faith. This doesn't mean wearing flashy Christian t-shirts or being weird; it simply means being noticeably different in your kindness, patience, love, and mercy.
As we step out in faith to share the gospel, we can do so with confidence. We go forth in the authority of Christ Himself, who has all power in heaven and on earth. We can be assured that the gospel has the power to save, as Romans 1:16 reminds us: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes."
Moreover, we can take comfort in knowing that God's mission will ultimately succeed. While He doesn't need us to accomplish His purposes, He invites us to be part of His grand plan to redeem the world. No matter how dark things may seem, we know how the story ends - with every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord.
So, how can we practically apply this call to witness in our lives? One simple approach is to adopt the "Who's Your One?" strategy. Pray that God would put one person on your heart - someone who is lost or unchurched - and commit to praying for them, investing in them, and ultimately sharing the gospel with them. Imagine the impact if every believer reached just one person with the good news of Jesus!
As we go deeper in our commitment to witness, let's remember that we're not just trying to grow church attendance numbers. Our ultimate goal is to see lives radically transformed by the power of the gospel. We may not know exactly what God will do, but we know what He is able to do. Let's fully embrace and obey the Great Commission, trusting that as we step out in faith, God will work in ways beyond our imagination.
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Will you answer the call to go and make disciples? The world is waiting, and eternity hangs in the balance. Let's go forth with boldness, compassion, and confidence, knowing that the One who calls us is faithful, and He will surely do it.
All for Him,
Pastor Dustin
But why is there such a disconnect between belief and action when it comes to evangelism? For many, the answer lies in a four-letter word: fear. Fear of what others might think, fear of not knowing what to say, or fear of rejection can all paralyze us into inaction. However, we must remember that we're not alone in this mission. Jesus Himself has given us both the command and the authority to go forth and make disciples.
The Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:18-20, is not a mere suggestion but a direct command from our Lord: "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you." This passage reminds us that as we go about our daily lives - whether at work, school, or in our communities - we are called to make disciples.
Evangelism, at its core, is about obedience. Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." If we truly love Jesus, we will naturally want to share Him with others. Think about it - when we love something or someone, don't we eagerly tell others about it? The same should be true of our relationship with Christ.
But sharing our faith isn't just about fulfilling a duty; it should stem from a place of genuine compassion for those who don't know Jesus. In Matthew 9:36, we see that when Jesus looked at the crowds, "He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." Do we see people the way Jesus sees them? Are our hearts broken for those who are lost and searching?
It's sobering to consider that there are still 3.5 billion people on Earth who have never heard the name of Jesus. Even in traditionally Christian areas, we're seeing a rise in individuals and families with no concept of God's Word or who Jesus is. If we remain silent, what will happen to them?
We must remember that friends don't let friends die and go to hell. When we start seeing people the way Jesus sees them, we'll look past their outward appearance and see their hearts, recognizing that without Christ, they face an eternity separated from God. This realization should move us to action, even if it means being perceived as offensive. As Charles Spurgeon powerfully stated, "If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay."
Sharing our faith shouldn't be a one-time event but a consistent lifestyle. In 1 Peter 3:15, we're instructed to "always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." Our lives should make others thirsty for what we have in Christ. When was the last time someone asked you about your faith? If we're living as salt and light in the world, people should notice something different about us.
It's important to note that there's no such thing as an "undercover Christian." If you're the only one who knows you're a Christian at work or school, you might need to reevaluate how you're living out your faith. This doesn't mean wearing flashy Christian t-shirts or being weird; it simply means being noticeably different in your kindness, patience, love, and mercy.
As we step out in faith to share the gospel, we can do so with confidence. We go forth in the authority of Christ Himself, who has all power in heaven and on earth. We can be assured that the gospel has the power to save, as Romans 1:16 reminds us: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes."
Moreover, we can take comfort in knowing that God's mission will ultimately succeed. While He doesn't need us to accomplish His purposes, He invites us to be part of His grand plan to redeem the world. No matter how dark things may seem, we know how the story ends - with every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord.
So, how can we practically apply this call to witness in our lives? One simple approach is to adopt the "Who's Your One?" strategy. Pray that God would put one person on your heart - someone who is lost or unchurched - and commit to praying for them, investing in them, and ultimately sharing the gospel with them. Imagine the impact if every believer reached just one person with the good news of Jesus!
As we go deeper in our commitment to witness, let's remember that we're not just trying to grow church attendance numbers. Our ultimate goal is to see lives radically transformed by the power of the gospel. We may not know exactly what God will do, but we know what He is able to do. Let's fully embrace and obey the Great Commission, trusting that as we step out in faith, God will work in ways beyond our imagination.
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Will you answer the call to go and make disciples? The world is waiting, and eternity hangs in the balance. Let's go forth with boldness, compassion, and confidence, knowing that the One who calls us is faithful, and He will surely do it.
All for Him,
Pastor Dustin
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