Some things are just a requirement in life. Drinking water, eating, adequate oxygen, sleep, and NFL football are a few that come to mind. For the life of me, I cannot imagine how a person could be a genuine follower of Christ and choose not to share the Gospel. Maybe it is possible, but it is certainly not biblical (and I would not want to be that person).
Part of the problem stems from a misunderstanding of what the Christian life is all about. Jesus did not set us free from the punishment of sin to live for ourselves, wallowing in lucrative desires. He also did not call us to simply wander through life with the goal of merely surviving each day. He redeemed us for a clear cut purpose. He left us here on earth, beyond the moment we trusted Christ for salvation, for a reason.
When Jesus met Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus road, the Lord completely changed a murderer of Christians to the world’s greatest missionary (all in a moment’s time). This is the miracle of life-change that Jesus offers each person! Yet, when Saul (now Paul) meets Ananias at a residence on Straight Street, the Apostle learns of his commission by the Lord to go to Gentiles, Jews, and even kings with this message of hope in Christ. This message will come at the price of great persecution and suffering.
Why should we look at our calling as any less important than Paul’s? Yes, the Lord had a specific purpose for Paul’s journeys. However, we should understand two principles in this narrative that apply to us today. First, Christ can and will change anyone who comes to Him by repentance and faith. Second, we have a job to do. The cost of outreach is steep. It takes time, effort, and accessibility because effective evangelism is based on relationships. But it may cost us in the way of rejection, persecution, and, for some of our brothers and sisters in Christ, death.
There is one thing I see for sure in the New Testament regarding outreach. Every believer in Christ is called to share the good news. Outreach is sometimes a difficult job, filled with sacrifices. However, there is no place more fulfilling to be than in the center of God’s will for our lives. No, outreach is not an option for an individual or a church. But it is a joy to serve our King Jesus!
Previous Posts in this Series:
(intro) Spirit-Led Outreach
Check out other series for Equipping Believers at BiG IDEaS!
Shepherding Well 