“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation”. 2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJV
Have you ever witnessed or taken part in a relay race? Typically, there are several people on one team running a race one after the other, with each person having an equally important part to play to ensure the success of the entire team. Their successes as individuals contribute to the overall team’s success.
In the same way, you get to be on the same team as Jesus Christ, working towards the salvation of the whole world! The work that He began by paying the price for salvation, He wants you to carry on by telling the whole world. In Christ was the provision of salvation, but in you is the announcement.
In John 3:16, we see that God’s love and sacrifice are for the whole world, but how will the people for whom He died hear about it unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:4) Who would tell them? You! Our anchor verse shows us that everyone who has received eternal life in Christ has a responsibility to communicate it to others.
Jesus did the work of reconciliation and then entrusted us with the responsibility to continue. A true understanding of what happened to you at salvation leaves you with a sense of purpose, and like with all other forms of good news, your default response must be to tell it.
As people who have the mandate to reach the world, we must be strategic in our approach, going out of our way to make sure others hear the Gospel (I Corinthians 9:20-23). We must bear in mind that for every opportunity we pass up to teach the truth, we give someone else the opportunity to teach lies.
Jesus did His part and is now seated, and much like it is in the relay race, the baton has been handed over to you (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15-18). While this may seem like a herculean task, you don’t have to do it all by yourself, you have God’s Spirit within you as an advantage, and so you have all it takes (Mark 16:20)
Embrace the possibility of a great harvest of souls. The great commission is to the whole world. You cannot be in the business of souls and be okay with the thought of even one person not being saved. Ministry is not always a one-man effort. Sometimes you may only plant seeds, but plant them anyway. Preaching the gospel would never be a waste of time. You aren’t alone.
Dear believer, you have been called into ministry. Jesus did it, now, you must tell it. Fulfill your ministry and give all that it takes to get it done.
Bible Reading Plan: Songs of Solomon 5-8