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One of the major components of being a Christian is to evangelize and spread God’s Word to others. Jesus taught and spoke of this many times throughout His life and ministry. He taught the 12 apostles to go out into the world and teach others about Him. Jesus lived His life reaching out to others. He culminated all of this with the “Great Commission” in Mark 16.
“And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned’” (Mark 16:15-16).
Jesus told his apostles to go and reach out to people. Always be reaching to bring someone to Christ. Always keep your eyes open for opportunities to share the Gospel with someone. Always be living your life in a way that displays the qualities of Christ.
We are to take this same command and live it out in our lives today. Not a single person has ever believed and obeyed Christ without first hearing about it from someone. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).
We must be “proclaiming” the gospel as Jesus says we are to be doing in Mark 16:15. Proclaim it with words and actions. Don’t just say it, but live it also. It is our responsibility to spread the message of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament God spoke directly to the prophets. In the New Testament God used His son, Jesus Christ, to reach out and to teach. Today God is using the church to spread the message of salvation, hope, heaven, and all the many other blessings He provides.
Are you reaching out to others? When was the last time you reached out to someone, genuinely concerned about their spirituality? Do you have the “Great Commission” memorized, yet are not living it out in your life? It all begins with an invitation. Invite someone to church, to study the Bible, to talk about Jesus, etc. Go ahead and give it a try. See what happens. You just might change someone’s eternity!
Nick Pace
S. Green St. church of Christ
Glasgow, KY