We Need To Share the Gospel!

“Six years ago, three professors at Harvard Business School tackled a far-reaching question: How might the mission of a university change in the 21st century?

Their eventual answer: Throw open the doors to older adults—and give them the tools to help change the world.”

While it is true that God uses you and me, it is only as we follow Him that He will use us to change the world.
-Wall Street Journal, May 9, 2011, Glenn Ruffenach

Seemingly absent in many churches and among Christians today is a strong concern for the lost. This is manifested by lack of personal evangelism, and can be evidenced by the failure to actively support foreign evangelism.

It is as though many have adopted the doctrine of universalism. That many, if not all, people will ultimately be saved. And that all sincere people, no matter their religion, will go to heaven.

Do we find ourselves not concerned for the souls of those who are lost? If so, then let Jesus and His apostles remind us them. This lostness of the lost, as proclaimed by Jesus, can be looked at in several ways. The first way is found in his sermon on the mount.

In his sermon, Jesus spoke of the reality of hell (Matthew 5:22,29-30). He warned that few will find the way that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). Even many religious people who believe in Him will find themselves lost (Matthew 7:21-23). Did Jesus not teach that most, even the religious, will be lost?

Next In His parables Jesus gave warning that many in His kingdom will be lost (Mathew 13:41-43) By the way, speaking of the separation of the wicked from the just (Mathew 13:49-50), did Jesus not teach even many in His kingdom will be lost?

Jesus' concern for the lost can also be seen in his Great Commission. Here, we find Jesus commanding His apostles to preach of salvation and condemnation (Mark 16:15-16); requiring that repentance be preached in His name to all nations (Luke 24:46-47).

Why would he give such a charge, unless Jesus strongly believed in lost souls! Jesus not only proclaimed the "lostness of the lost," but also made it clear that He is the only way to God and salvation (cf. Jn 14:6).

Note also the lostness of the lost as proclaimed by His apostles. Let's begin with Peter. He called on the need to repent (Acts 3:19); claimed salvation only in th name of Jesus (Acts 4:10-12); wrote of judgment and the scarcity of salvation (1 Peter 4:17-18); and who described the fiery judgment of the ungodly, thus the need for repentance (2 Peter 3:7-12). Peter clearly believed in the lostness of lost souls!

Then there was Paul who also preached of judgment, and the need for all to repent (Acts 17:30-31); wrote of God’s wrath, the need for mercy, and the judgment to come (Romans 1:18; 2:4-11; 3:23; 14:10-12; 2 Colossians 5:10); and who warned of the end of those who do not obey the gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Paul too, clearly proclaimed the lostness of lost souls!

Finally, there is was John who wrote that eternal life is only in the Son (Jesus) 1 John 5:11-13; taught that we must abide in the doctrine of Christ to have God (2 John 9); and who foresaw the judgment, and the terrible end of the wicked (Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8). Yes, even John, “the apostle of love”, believed in the lostness of lost souls!

So who can deny that Jesus and His apostles believed and taught that people are lost, and that a terrible end awaits those who do not repent and obey the gospel of Christ? What then, should be evident among Christians today who truly believe in the lostness of lost souls?

True disciples of Christ believe that they take their own salvation seriously. This is exemplified by the apostle Paul (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 3:12-14). And growing in grace and knowledge, as instructed by Peter (cf. 2 Peter 3:17-18; 1:5-11). Does concern for your own salvation reflect belief in the lostness of lost souls?

Additionally, true disciples of Christ are concerned for the salvation of others. They will have compassion for the lost, like Jesus and Paul (cf. Matthew 9:35-36; Romans 10:1-4). Such compassion, is accompanied by a knowledge the lostness of others, which will move them to act like Jesus and Paul did (cf. Matthew 9:37-38; 10:1,5-7; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11).

This means that they will either go to the lost themselves, or send others to go (cf. Romans 10:14-15). Does your concern for others’ salvation reflect belief in the lostness of lost souls?

In closing, certainly the gospel of Christ is not all “fire, hell, and damnation.” It is good news of God’s grace, love, and mercy to sinners (1 Timothy 2:3-6). Whatever delay there may seem to be regarding the Lord’s return is due to God’s desire that all be saved (2 Peter 3:9).

But neither is the gospel of Christ a doctrine of universal salvation in which a benign God accepts everyone as they are with no need to repent; nor is it a doctrine in which there is no compelling need to share the gospel of salvation to others. If we are to be properly motivated to save others, we need to be moved not only by the love of Christ, but also by a proper understanding of lost souls.

Additional verses: Genesis 32:22-30, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 9:3-18

Prayer:

Lord, give me the courage to obey Christ's command to be a witness to him! Amen

God bless you,

Faith