The Urgency of Sharing the Gospel

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ. Bogged down in our busy lives, we forget this simple but powerful statement: God is the way, the truth, and the life. Only those who believe in Jesus will inherit eternal life and not perish.

One.

We must be aware of this sobering fact: it doesn’t matter who you are, how powerful you are, or how much money you have- if you don’t believe in Jesus Christ, you will perish. Does your husband or wife believe in Jesus Christ? Do your children believe in God? Do your friends and loved ones believe in Jesus Christ? Amazingly, we shy away from preaching the gospel to the people closest to us. We don’t want to offend or seem improper. We don’t want to be one of those fanatics people shake their heads at. We live in a world where there are many false prophets, but one thing remains absolutely true: if you don’t believe in Jesus Christ, you’ll perish. There is no other way around it.

Two.

People can’t believe unless someone shares the gospel. You can know someone for years and never mention you are a churchgoer and believe in Jesus Christ. We conveniently hide our faith when we think it will hinder our careers or social status. However. wherever you are and whatever you do, share the gospel! Don’t overwhelm people but let people know there is a way to salvation. There is a way to peace and happiness. When we share the gospel, their spirits come alive. Their minds and bodies follow suit. Without this dynamic- sharing and receiving- people can never find their way to Christ.

Three.

We don’t know when we’re going to die. Being young and healthy doesn’t guarantee you’ll be alive tomorrow. Look at the world around us. Precious lives are taken before their time. We don’t know when our time is up. The Bible says the Second Coming will come like a “thief in the night.” Individually or collectively, our end remains unknown; therefore, we must share the gospel with a sense of urgency. And we don’t know when the person to whom we are preaching will leave this earth. We could plan on sharing the gospel after they finish school or when things settle down, but it could be too late. We must not procrastinate when it comes to sharing the gospel. Do it now!

Four.

When we have the mind or inclination to share this gospel with someone, God works inside us, urging us to share His gospel. God uses us as a vessel to save that person. Do not ignore this calling, but be diligent in carrying out His purpose. Romans 10: 14 says, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?” When God calls us to preach, we must act because they cannot believe in someone “they have not heard.” And when we feel the urge to tell someone about Christ, God is trying to tell us something! This doesn’t mean we all become preachers and men of the cloth; we preach and share the gospel in our own space and conditions.

Five.

Jesus sacrificed His possessions, body, and life to save us. He faced persecution, hardships, and obstacles. When we share the gospel, be prepared to make the same sacrifices and meet the same challenges. Many will not accept our overtures. Some will turn against us or ridicule. Be ready to face adversity! Be willing to make sacrifices to share this gospel with others! You might risk a friendship or a job or even a marriage. But it’s worth it. The sacrifices you make when sharing the gospel are always worth it.

If we do these five things, our focus changes. Our purpose for living changes. Our attitudes and demeanor change. We become better. The trajectory of our lives moves away from worldly endeavors to heavenly work. We recognize our time is limited and fleeting. What kind of work should we be doing if today was our last day on earth? Share the gospel with a sense of urgency!

Summary