Devotional

“The gospel must constantly be forwarded to a new address, because the recipient is repeatedly changing his place of residence.” –Helmut Thielicke

A missionary home on furlough offered to lead a seminar on personal evangelism. Anyone interested could come to the home where the missionary was staying at 7:00 on Sunday evening. At the appointed hour, one young man rang the missionary’s bell.

“I’m here to learn about evangelism,” he announced. “So you are,” agreed the missionary, slipping on his shoes and grabbing his Bible. Expecting to be invited in, the guest was surprised when the host stepped outside with him. “Follow me,” he instructed.

The pair made their way down the sidewalk and to a neighbor’s front door. Without saying a word, the missionary knocked. When the door opened, the missionary began, “Hello. I’m your neighbor. My friend, here, wants to tell you about Jesus Christ.” And then looking to his young protégé he said, “Go ahead!”

When it comes to sharing the gospel—we’re it! We’re Plan A, and there is no Plan B. There’s no substitute if we don’t tell others about Jesus Christ.

Sounds scary, doesn’t it? Scary, maybe, but the apostle Paul tells us: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

Then he goes on to ask a series of very important questions: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14)

Consider Jesus’ words: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

This instruction was among the last words Jesus spoke to his disciples before ascending into heaven, and the disciples took it seriously. Thank the Lord they did! Because the disciples carried out those marching orders, and because others were faithful enough to do so after them, somehow, over the thousands of years and across thousands of miles, that Good News reached you!

God has uniquely placed us where we are—at work, at home, in the community. He’s given us a unique set of circumstances and surrounded us with a unique crowd of people. He’s done all this so we can be ambassadors of the gospel right where we are. We’re Plan A, remember?

My prayer this week – Gracious Lord, I recognize you’ve placed me in a unique setting and unique circumstances so I might reveal your love to others. Will you open my eyes to opportunities? Will you give me courage to seize them? Will you give me the words to speak and the grace and love to share Jesus with others?