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(Matthew 16:24) – Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV; emphasis mine)
We are studying five primary goals of the Christian life, taking each goal in three steps of natural progression: knowledge (head), conviction (heart), and action (hands). All five goals are:
- Living Like Christ
- Proclaiming Christ
- Serving Like Christ
- Worshipping Christ
- Fellowship in Christ
Knowledge of the Gospel (head) combined with the conviction to share it with others (heart) leaves us ready to actually figure out how (hands). There are several things to consider about how we utilize our own personal resources towards this purpose.
There are several resources we all have that can be used towards sharing the Gospel: time, skills, talents, financial blessings and emotional energy. Our knowledge and commitment to the Gospel are put into effect through the use of our energy and material blessings. As with all the goals of Christianity, if knowledge and conviction are not followed by action, it rings hollow. Kind of the whole “faith without works is dead” thing…
One paragraph hardly makes the point, so it is left to each of use to consider it more fully: how is my time dedicated to spreading the Gospel? Are my talents used to tell others about Christ? Do I allocate portions of my financial blessings to the spreading of the Good News?
We consider not only what we personally do in the effort of the Gospel, but also what we do to help enable OTHERS to spread the Word. We are only ONE, but collectively we can multiply our conviction to share Christ countless times as we invest our finances corporately. So part of putting this Christian goal into action is helping give what it takes to allow someone else to launch into action.
Another thing to consider is consistency and sacrifice. Sharing Christ should not be a leisurely effort when we happen to feel like it or when an opportunity makes it impossible avoid. We need to routinely, consistently, persistently and diligently be involved in both personally sharing Christ AND giving to others who multiply that effort like missionaries, Bible distributors, Christian orphanages and other “care” groups who share Christ as they help the needy.
The necessity and requirement of sharing the Gospel goes without saying, although it is largely neglected by most Christians. What I encourage people to do is to start with those people they already have relationships with and come in contact with. You don’t have to stop every stranger that walks by and share the Gospel. There are plenty of people in our sphere of influence that we can lure into a spiritual conversation by asking simple questions: do you believe in God? Have you ever been to church? Do you believe in life after death? Any of these types of interesting questions can open the door for you to simply share your belief in Christ and then ask a few simple questions that will cause THEM to think about the same.
Remember, it’s not YOUR job to get someone to say “yes” to God. That’s the downfall of the Christian “sales packages” that are frequently taught today. God alone gives the result. We just plant the seeds and water the ground. Sometimes we come across a “ripe” one that is ready to be harvested, and of course, that is a GREAT joy and experience. But more often, we find ourselves only planting and watering. We cannot force a false harvest with sales techniques. Planting and watering.. that is our call to action with regards to the primary Christian goal of proclaiming Christ.
My favorite approach to sharing the Gospel, and I believe the most effective (and Biblical) by far, is what Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron teach at www.wayofthemaster.com. I encourage you to check out their material.
Lord God, help us to be committed to sharing the Gospel and utilizing all aspects of our life in the effort. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
- What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
- What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
- What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?
(seriesid:54)