“for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things!” Romans 10: 12-15
Let’s read Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
What are these verses speaking to you about? What do we learn about Jesus? What do we learn about God?
Is having a heart for the world an option for us? Why or why not? The Bible clarifies that we are to tell others about the gospel news—the good news of Jesus. That there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, but, in point of justification and acceptance with God, the gospel sets them both upon the same level.
God is the same to all: The same Lord over all is rich unto all. There is not one God to the Jews who are kinder, and another to the Gentiles who is less kind; but he is the same to all, a common father to all mankind. The promise is the same to all: Whoever shall call-one as well as another, without exception. This extent, this undifferencing extent, of the promise both to Jews and Gentiles he thinks should not be surprising, for the prophet, Joel 2:32 foretold it.
How necessary it was that the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles? This was what the Jews were so angry with Paul for that he was the Gentiles’ apostle and preached the gospel to them. Now he shows how needful it was to bring them within reach of the fore mentioned promise, an interest in which they should not envy to any of their fellow-creatures. They cannot call on him in whom they have not believed. Except they believe that he is God, they will not call upon him by prayer; They cannot believe in him of whom they have not heard. In some way or another, the divine revelation must be made known to us before we can receive it and assent it; it is not born with us. In hearing is included reading, which is tantamount, and by which many are brought to believe John 20:31: These things are written that you may believe. But hearing only is mentioned as the more ordinary and natural way of receiving information. They cannot hear without a preacher; how should they? Somebody must tell them what they are to believe. Preachers and hearers are correlates; it is a blessed thing when they mutually rejoice in each other-the hearers in the skill and faithfulness of the preacher, and the preacher in the willingness and obedience of the hearers. They cannot preach except they are sent, except they be both commissioned and, in some measure, qualified for their preaching work. How shall a man act as an ambassador unless he has both his credentials and instructions from the prince that sends him? This proves that to the regular ministry, there must be a regular mission and ordination. It is God’s prerogative to send ministers; he is the Lord of the harvest, and therefore to him, we must pray that he would send forth laborers.
We normally put people into two groups: the saved and the lost. Let’s try looking at the group in another light—those who have heard the gospel and those who have not heard the gospel. Jesus has commanded us to make disciples to all nations. God can use us through our job, skills, and passions to engage in His mission to take the gospel to every group on earth.
How can you use your job, hobbies, skills, and passion for the mission of spreading the gospel?
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are so amazing in ways that it is hard to put it into words. I pray that we will be willing to be used by you to spread the gospel news. I pray that we will have a boldness to obey this command of yours.
In Jesus Name
Amen
