It's another blessed day and a great one to be alive. I don't know about you, but before I get out of bed in the morning I give thanks to God for a new day. Let's get after it today and be productive not only for ourselves and our responsibilities, but for others, too.
A long journey
As I was finishing up the book of Acts early last night, it dawned on me how far Paul travelled on his second missionary journey. He travelled roughly 1,500 miles or 2,414 kilometers! That's a lot of walking, and trust me, not on good roads or paths. Paul was said to have been frail, but it doesn't sound like he was to me.
Everywhere Paul went he preached the gospel of Jesus Christ, first to the Jews in the synagogue, and then to the Greeks (Gentiles). It was customary back then that a guest on the Sabbath day would be invited to speak after the Jewish ceremonies were completed, and that is when Paul boldly proclaimed the gospel.
Many times the Jews ran him out of town, beat him or even tried to kill him. But some believed on Jesus by faith alone.
Paul also preached to the Gentiles which made the Jews angry. But many Greeks believed on the Lord Jesus and Paul discipled them (taught them). He taught them the essential and foundational truths of God's word.
On his third missionary journey, Paul stayed in Ephesus (modern western Turkey) for three years, teaching, preaching, and establishing churches. Ephesus was the home base for starting churches. It was a major city like Corinth back in those days around 50 AD and after. It still exists today, 6 miles inland from the port city but trade dried up long ago.
The gospel today
Today the good news of the gospel is still preached by the faithful of Christ. But the world system hates Christians. More Christians have been killed (martyred) over the last 100 years than the last 1,900 years previous.
But let's be mindful of one thing, Jesus told this would happen to us servants. We read:
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you" (John 15:18-19, NIV).
We Christians
We Christians, whether laymen or laywoman, teachers or preachers, have a responsibility to spread the good news of the gospel of Christ Jesus to others.
Think about it, we have better roads, cars, trikes, motorcycles, buses and trains we can and do ride. We also have various platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, read.cash and many others at our fingertips. We can walk next door or go into town. We have a lot of advantages that people before us did not have.
And yet we are collectively failing our mission. What is the mission?
The Mission
Jesus gave us the mission, otherwise known as The Great Commission. It's the same one He gave His 11 disciples. We read:
"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, NIV).
Application
How about we get up and get to work for Jesus? He has commanded all of us who believe on Him to preach and teach His word. We don't have to be professionals. Yes, it is important to show the gospel by how we live, but the real power is in God's word. The Holy Spirit will prompt those that hear the word of God to act: believe or reject it. That's not on us, as the Holy Spirit gives the increase.
Let's spread the word. Today.
All images are free courtesy of https://pixabay.com/
Start by making lots of friends, then set an example to others by acting like a good Christian and Christ-like. Try to find out their needs, and help them if it is in your capacity; if you can't, get someone who can to help. Always remember to pray to God for courage and strength to do it.