By Russ Atmore
The Apostle Paul said
it so long ago in Romans 1:16,17 – “I am not ashamed of the gospel,
because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who
believes, first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel, a
righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith
from first to last, just as it is written: “the righteous will live by
faith.” The important points to remember are that the gospel is the
power of God for salvation, and then that the gospel reveals the
righteousness of God. This righteousness is obtained by faith, and we
know that faith is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8,9)
The element of human
works is removed from the gospel as a means of obtaining salvation
because salvation is a free gift from God. Jonah testifies to this from
the belly of the fish (Jonah 2:9). Even, though salvation is a free gift
sovereignly dispensed by God, God has so ordained that the means of
communicating this message is through men and women, boys and girls.
This implies that
every Christian has the responsibility of communicating the gospel to
all. Faith comes form hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (Romans
10:17). Paul also asks how can someone hear unless a preacher is sent to
them (Romans 10:14). So, sharing the Word of God is a responsibility
that all of us have, because that is how the message of salvation is
communicated primarily. It is not only a responsibility, but also a
delight and privilege.
Why is it then, that
so many of us do not share the gospel? The answer partly lies in the
fact that we don’t know how. If you don’t want to share your faith, then
you need to ask yourself the question, ”am really saved?”
Here are a few points
to consider.
- Know
the claims of Christ – Who He is.
-
Understand the biblical perspective on sinful human nature.
-
Understand the meaning of the Cross.
-
Understand the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus.
- What
does it mean to believe in Jesus – is a commitment or a conversion?
These basic issues
test whether you know what you believe. Try and write out the gospel as
you understand it, share it with another Christian to see if your
understanding is correct, and then tell an unbeliever about the Lord.
You are guaranteed a reaction. The apostles considered it a privilege
and joy to share their Lord. They knew not only what they believed, but
why they believed it. Do you? Above all else – pray, and then pray some
more.
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