Isaiah 42:11
Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their
voice..let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the
mountains.
Dear Beloved in Christ, I am writing to you today with a
heart full of joy and enthusiasm, for we have been called to a task of great
importance and eternal significance. We have been called to be the hands and
feet of Jesus, to reach out to those who do not yet know Him, to share His love
and truth with them.
In the book of Matthew, Jesus gives us our mission: "Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that
I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20). This is not a suggestion,
but a command. It is not only for a select few, but for all of us who call
ourselves followers of Christ.
So, how do we do this? How do we reach others with the good
news of Jesus Christ? It may seem like a daunting task to venture out, but remember, we are
not alone in this. The Holy Spirit is with us, guiding us, empowering us and we have the example of Jesus and church fathers to guide us.
First, we must live our faith. People are more likely to
listen to what we say if they see we live what we preach. Our actions
often speak louder than our words. We must strive to live a life of love,
kindness, and integrity, following the example of Jesus.
Second, we must build relationships. Jesus spent much of His
time building relationships with people. He ate with them, talked with them,
listened to them. He showed genuine love and care for them. In the same way, we
must take the time to build relationships with the people around us. We must
show them we care about them, not just about converting them.
Third, we must be ready to share the gospel. We must be
prepared to explain why we believe in Jesus, what He has done for us, and how
they can know Him too. This does not mean we have to have all the answers or be
able to argue with someone in to the faith. But we should be able to share the basics of
the gospel in a clear and compelling way.
Finally, we must pray. Pray for the people you are trying to
reach. Pray for wisdom and courage. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in their
hearts. Prayer is powerful, and it is a vital part of reaching others for
Christ.
Reaching others for Christ is not always easy. It requires
time, effort, and sometimes even sacrifice. But it is worth it. For there is no
greater joy than seeing someone come to know Jesus, to experience His love and
forgiveness, to begin a new life with Him.
So, let us go forth with enthusiasm and courage, trusting in
the Holy Spirit to guide us, and let us reach others for Christ. For "the
harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few" (Matthew 9:37). Let us
be those workers, those harvesters of souls, bringing people into the kingdom
of God. May God bless you and strengthen you as you take up this wonderful
calling.