When God heals from sickness, restores family relationships, provides a new job, or works supernaturally in our lives in some unmistakable way—there’s nothing quite like it. Its humbling, awe-inspiring, and invigorating. But there’s something even better. That’s when God works through us in another person’s life—particularly as we share the gospel and see them saved. Facilitating another person’s salvation moment, in spite of our human frailty and spiritual uncertainties, fulfills something deep within us. Being a channel of God’s power is even more satisfying than being a recipient of it.
Jesus alluded to this one day when his disciples asked him if he wanted some lunch. He had been witnessing to a woman, too engrossed to stop and eat, when he told them, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about” and then continued, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (Jn. 4:32, 34). While Jesus may have meant several things with the phrases “do the will of him” and “finish his work,” in this context his primary meaning was telling another person how to trust him for their relationship with God.
Based on Jesus’ example, the most fulfilling work any believer can do is share the gospel with another person. It’s a soul-satisfying experience, touching us at a deeper place than even satiating physical hunger. When you are instrumental in another person’s salvation, you touch eternity. You connect with God’s overarching purpose in the universe—gathering people for his eternal companionship. Paul described it this way: “This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ…This is according to his eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. 3:8, 11). There’s nothing more fulfilling than being a conduit of God’s power when sharing the gospel. His power is available to every Christian, not just a spiritually-select few. Jesus said every believer can experience his power for sharing the gospel when he promised, “you will receive power…and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8).
Reaching people with the gospel is messy. Sinners are sinners and often act like it. Christians realize building relationships with non-Christians, getting involved in their brokenness, and sharing the consequences of their bad choices is often odious. But they do it anyway. They are willing to sacrifice personal comfort, get over judgmental attitudes about offensive behavior, and support the wounded as they limp their way to Jesus. Christians don’t just talk about what it takes to reach people with the gospel, they do it.
While there are many biblical examples of methods and strategies for connecting people with God, it boils down to this: communicate the gospel. Some stories in the Gospels are analogous to bringing people to Jesus. Other times, they illustrate taking Jesus to people. The most important thing to remember, however, is you have been given the privilege, responsibility, and power to share the gospel. When you do, it’s likely you will be instrumental in people being saved. Every believer can share the good news about Jesus and be present when someone becomes a Christian. That’s God’s oldest and best-proven plan for getting the gospel to every person in the world. It’s also the most exciting spiritual victory you will ever experience.
Summer blogs are excerpted from my book “Shadow Christians: Making an impact when no one knows your name.”
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