Say What You See: Gospel Spreading

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. (Mark 16:15)

There are a number of reasons why followers of Christ are nervous, reluctant and outright objectionable when it comes to spreading the gospel.

I’m fairly familiar with most of those reasons and have only too gleefully jumped on them to avoid doing it.

What I didn’t realise at the time were important things such as:

1) It’s not just my responsibility ALONE to do it, Jesus sent His men out in twos for a reason, Jesus set up communities of grace for a reason. That reason being we can do these things together – including spreading gospel. So sure it will help if I can share it on my own, but actually I can join with a brother or sister and we can find effective ways of doing that together. Perhaps in doing it together my ability to share will be strengthened and sharpened by those with whom I do it. Perhaps I can also contribute likewise to others as they declare it.

2) In showing reluctance in sharing the good news it actually makes a mockery of it being good news. If the news is that good, surely I’d want to share it. If accepting and embracing the good news has done so much for me, why on earth would I want to keep that silent?

3) The more you reflect on who Jesus is, the more you can understand why it’s worth sharing this good news.

I think back to the explosion at Pentecost and note that when the Spirit was poured out on those in the upper room, their mouths were open and they declared the works and praise of God to people from different nationalities. It’s interesting that it’s almost as if having the Holy Spirit now is about being in a safe place among your own and then being able to babble incomprehensibly to fit in with others who do the same and that’s it.

I suggest that perhaps engaging with the Holy Spirit gives us the boldness, confidence, passion and delight in sharing this good news.

There have been waves of this happening around the world through the last 2000 years since the good news was first proclaimed. I see people – not just individually, but in loving units and groups of believers, using their skills, abilities, gifts and talents to do what it takes to share this good news. I see people seeing their reluctance for the lie that it is. I see people seeing their reservations for the disobedience that it is. I see people seeing their reasons for not sharing the gospel for the pathetic excuses they are.

More importantly, I see folks being captured by the good news again. Completely enveloped in the love, person and mission of Jesus Christ. Overwhelmed by the good in the good news and aware that there are those in the kingdom of darkness who need to be brought to the kingdom of light. After all that is what the good news is all about – and that’s what it should motivate in us in our daily walk.

Seeing that dispels despair and excites hope. It’s a delight because this good news will be spread to all peoples in the world.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden