“He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16
It is still so amazing to me that people can see something with their own eyes and still not believe that it exists or something didn’t happen. Then, there are some people that are visionary and even though they never saw anything with their own eyes, they believe in it completely. These are two very contrary view points. What is in that small place in our brains that cause us to believe or not to believe? I believe that it’s a faith and trust in an Almighty God.
People witnessed the life of Jesus Christ from birth until His death. Some people watched as Jesus was crucified and died on the cross. He was then buried in a borrowed tomb and vacated the tomb 3 days later as He came back to life. Who couldn’t believe it? Why would you not believe it?
God never intended any of us to be forced into believing in Him and trusting in Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. He gave us a freewill….we’re not robots. We each have a choice of what to trust and believe in and what we choose to not put our faith and trust into. He is a just God!
When Jesus appeared to these disciples and followers, He gave them this assignment. Go tell the World the gospel of Jesus Christ. He then gives them the consequences and results of the choices the individuals make. Believe and be saved, don’t believe and be condemned.
I’m now hearing people running around screaming, “He’s not a fair God!!” “That’s not what a good and loving God would do!” These are just humans who are putting God in a box and giving Him definitive ways of behaving. They are telling God what He can and can’t be like.
No, that’s not how this works. No one gets to tell God how to act or work. He’s in control! He’s GOD! It’s as simple as choosing Him or not choosing Him.
Our only responsibility is to tell the good news to everyone and allow them to make their own choice. We don’t get a choice of who to tell, we’re supposed to tell everyone that God gives us the ability to tell. In another passage of scripture, Jesus tells us this, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
God promises us that He will be always be with us, giving us the ability to share the gospel with those that need to hear it and the Holy Spirit will speak to their hearts so they can make their own decision about whether they will choose to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord or reject Him.
I pray that each of us will see that responsibility is our own and that we will faithfully share the gospel every time we get the chance so others will have the opportunity to have Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord too. So many people think that only the disciples were given this command but it belongs to every believer too. It’s evangelism on our part. Ask God to give you the boldness to share the way He intended for you to share the gospel.
- Pray for God to give you opportunities to share the Gospel with others
- Pray for the boldness to follow God’s commands
- Pray for others to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord