Daily devotion – our witness
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
This is what often is called The Great Commission. Our Lord’s last orders given to His Church before He ascended into Heaven in view of His disciples. It’s well known but often well left alone!
People usually have no problem, when out in their jobs, at school, in the community or on public transport, to discuss issues such as politics, Covid, vaccination, fuel prices, sport, fashion, music, movies and many more other such topics. We voice our opinions on each of these matters without batting an eye, having our say on the matter, even it if means disagreeing with another person’s opinion. We speak!
But how come when it arrives to us as Christians, the opportunity of sharing the greatest news to humanity, the literal “Good News of the Gospel” that we all of sudden freeze, go silent, leave the room, pretend to read our phone, and simply clam up? The Apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Church in Rome these words, Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Furthermore, it goes on to say, John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Why does this happen? What makes our sharing the Gospel so different? Yet we can be so vocal on many and any other subject matter?
May I suggest to you that there is a little more happening when we step out to share the Gospel, to fulfil the Great Commission! The Bible tells us we live in a spiritual world as well as a physical world. We see evidence of this everywhere. In our own lives we know there is more to this world than just dirt water and grass. We see in nature, the heavens, the very signs of a Creator, we see design, beauty and we sense that there is more.
The Bible tells us when we become Christians we enter into a battle, a struggle between God and the fallen angels led by one called Satan. Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
We see further evidence of evil in the heinous crimes committed where even people of the world wonder how such a cruel act could be committed and they too call it evil!
When you or I attempt to share the Gospel to someone, the Good News that has the power of salvation pulsing through it, the battle ignites to its full fury. For we are truly taking on the enemy, seeking to invade his territory, set free those held in his chains. So, the enemy launches an assault upon us – ‘what if they laugh at what we say, what if they call us foolish and reject what we share in our sincerity, what if they no longer want to be our friend?’ Yes, all these fiery darts are launched at us and unless we have prepared in prayer, we cower, we step back, and we hold our tongue.
How can we not feel this way and react in a submissive manner to the enemies assault? By following our Saviour’s example. Remember when He was assailed in the wilderness those 40 days and 40 nights. When the enemy came to attack Jesus spoke the Word of God in response. Jesus loosed the power of His Word and it sent the enemy scurrying.
But there is one more thing, when Jesus was in the wilderness that whole time, He was fasting, and He was also…praying! When you start your day, before you head out the door to school or to work, and on your way in the bus or train or car, give the day and the opportunities to share the Gospel to the Lord. Let Him empower you, guide you, strengthen you and lead you.
Then when the situation arises, and there is an occasion for you to share the Gospel with someone, the enemy will be already defeated and you will with the Holy Spirit’s anointing and wisdom, find yourself fulfilling the Great Commission.
The rest is up to God!