For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NLT)
Welcome to the 21st weekly devotional recap of the year. This week, we learnt that the Gospel is God’s powerful message of salvation, meant for all people, and that we are called to believe it, live it, and boldly proclaim it despite challenges or opposition.
We began the week by seeing how, in salvation, God, through Jesus Christ, dealt with the problem of sin fully, finally, and forever, independent of man’s input. Salvation comes by believing in the finished work of Christ, and there is no other way for man to be saved (Acts 4:12). God desires that this message be preached to all people so they may be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), and He calls us to live lives worthy of it.
On Tuesday, we learnt that the Gospel is not just good news, it’s the best news, too powerful and too joyful to keep to ourselves (Romans 10:14). God demonstrated His love by sending Christ to conquer sin and death, offering freedom to all who believe (Galatians 5:1), and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to be His witnesses in both word and deed (Acts 1:8). To know the Gospel and remain silent is to miss its essence. At the core of evangelism is the desire to see others awakened to the grace we have received (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is the heartbeat of our faith.
Wednesday’s devotional reminded us that the One who established the way to salvation determined that salvation can be found in no one else but Jesus (Acts 4:12). Therefore, the Gospel must be preached to all people in every nation of the world. As Christ’s ambassadors, we must use every influence and opportunity to share the Gospel to the world (2 Corinthians 5:20). Make the great commission your priority. Partner with this global agenda by actively preaching and deploying your creative gifts to shape cultures and policies and aid the spread of the Gospel.
On Thursday, we were encouraged not to give up, even when faced with resistance while preaching the gospel. Like Paul, we are called to endure hardships, knowing our trials are momentary compared to eternal glory (2 Corinthians 4:16-17). The person outside Christ exists in spiritual darkness and responds to this gospel through this lens (2 Corinthians 4:4). Remembering this truth will help us respond with patience rather than frustration. Despite the challenges you face when preaching the gospel, don’t give up. It is the will of God to see all men saved, and you have His Spirit to empower you to persevere through every opposition.
We ended the week with a charge. Like runners in a relay race, believers must carry the Gospel with purpose to the very end. Stephen stood firm, even unto death, boldly declaring truth (Acts 7:56). We, too, are entrusted with this eternal mandate (2 Corinthians 5:18), with no retirement from service. Even when faced with rejection, persecution, or hostility, like in Stephen’s case, know that those who oppose the gospel are not beyond God’s mercy (1 Timothy 1:13-14). The darkness of their hearts does not diminish the light we are called to shine. You have no excuse. You are an emissary of the gospel. Let it flow from you constantly, compassionately, and courageously until the very end.
Have a blessed weekend!
Bible Reading Plan: 1 Chronicles 11-16; Luke 6:20-7:17