Are you willing to risk everything for the sake of the Gospel?

Let me tell you a story. There was a great missionary. Once saved, his life was focused solely on reaching the world with the Good News- no matter what the cost. During his ministry, he was stoned, jailed, tortured, shipwrecked, and eventually beheaded. All for the sake of the Good News of Jesus Christ! This is the story of the Apostle Paul- author of much of the New Testament, and passionate evangelist.

Most of us are not called to that place of ultimate sacrifice. So why do we still let fears and insecurities keep us from sharing our faith? Paul had reason to fear for his life, and yet he continued sharing Christ all the more.

In fact, Paul writes in Romans, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Most of us will never encounter the kind of hardship that Paul experienced and yet we’re afraid of something as little as ridicule or rejection.

Today, don’t step back. Don’t back down. Share your faith, regardless of the cost. It’s worth it.

Sometimes in our zeal for sharing the Good News, we forget something.  We forget that ultimately God is in control of everything!  This is not to say that we don’t need to tell people about Jesus, but it might change how we tell them.  I love the quote, “No one ever became a Christian because they lost an argument.”

We are commanded by God to share the Good News with the world.  But ultimately, the results are in God’s control – not ours.  You can make a flawless argument.  But, when it comes down to it, the Holy Spirit still has to change the person’s heart!

Do not use this reliance on God as an excuse to get lazy, however. Instead, find it empowering!  If you know that God is in control, it keeps you humble and gives you courage.  Do your part, and God will use you mightily!  In the book of Romans, Paul writes that, “God’s kindness leads you toward repentance.”

Remember to show a lost friend God’s kindness as you share the Good News.  Lovingly share the truth with friends and then rest because God is in control and He knows exactly what He’s doing!

When Jesus hung on the cross for our sins, He cried, “It is finished.” I’ve found that many followers of Jesus are robbed of their joy, because they don’t truly believe that one verse.

If followers of Jesus truly believed that Jesus finished what none of us could, they would live differently.  You know, someone may be very religious, yet not know Jesus at all!  Jesus came to free us from “religion”.  Righteous deeds are a natural outcome of a love for God, but they are not the source of our salvation.

Jesus did all the work so we wouldn’t have to! Sometimes “religion” can be about what we do.  But, faith in Jesus Christ is not about what we do – it’s about what God has done!  Instead of relying on yourself, rely on Jesus Christ.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”  Remember that we are all sinful. Nothing we do is good enough for God.  Boast in the Lord Jesus, not in your religious deeds, and you will find true joy, peace and contentment.  Once you understand that you cannot earn the grace of God, you will be equipped to reach your world and share this truth with others!

Have you heard someone say that there are many ways to Heaven?  It’s popular to say, “I’m a good person so I’ll go to heaven.”  But, did you know that God has a very different view?
This sort of vague spirituality cannot be found anywhere in the Bible.  Jesus said, “no one comes to the Father but by me.”  Jesus is directly contradicting the idea that there are multiple ways to get to Heaven.

If you claim to be a follower of Jesus then think through His words.  Do you truly believe He’s the only way?  The Bible is very clear.  While it is not popular to say there is only one way to heaven, it is the truth.

Lovingly reach out to someone today. You can be God’s instrument to help others see Jesus.  Don’t buy into the vague spirituality of our culture.  Stand on the authority of Scripture and once again proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.