Putting the Gospel into action: sharing the Good News

The past two articles have focused on the Gospel and how to apply it. Scripture teaches that God’s exclusive answer to our need for forgiveness is the Gospel, found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Jesus Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” This brings us to application No. 3: sharing the Good News with someone else.

When we share the Gospel, we must first examine our motivation, which is threefold.

First, God commands believers to share the Good News, and because he has rescued us, we desire to obey. Mark 16:15 says, “And Jesus said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’” Jesus also assumes his Church will continue that witness, as Matthew 24:14 tells us: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Second, Christians are motivated by love for others. We do not want anyone to face eternal separation from God, and we long for people to know the power of Christ to conquer sin in this life and enjoy eternal life with him.

Third, we have the privilege of partnering with God in this work. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Proclaiming the Gospel is among those good works.

We share the Gospel by praying—for the people we speak to and for grace to speak with love and clarity. Sometimes we share within established relationships, and other times with those we meet only briefly. In every case, we point to who God is, the reality of human sin, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the eternal consequences of rejecting or receiving him, the call to turn from sin, and the invitation to trust Christ alone for forgiveness. Ask God for divine appointments—and when he provides them, proclaim the Good News.

Christ’s blessings, Scott Welch, Pastor Christ Community Church • www.loveled.org