11 For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, 12 since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 14 How, then, 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? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.
Romans 10:11-15
As I sit here reflecting on my life, I begin to think of the people who have helped me, taught me, instructed me, coached me, and walked alongside of me throughout my life. It has taken a small army. I could never have achieved the accomplishments in my life without the help of all these other people. I am a Christ follower in large part due to many of these people. Their example, their teaching, their counsel, and their profession of their own faith in Jesus Christ has had and is having a huge impact on my life. So as I sit here and reflect on the text Paul penned so many years ago, I am thankful for those who went, preached, sent, and professed the gospel to me.
Our Lord and Savior never sits still. He is continually seeking the lost. He is continually compelling us to seek the lost along with Him. Paul made it evident that all mankind is equal—we are all sinners. We are all justified through the work of Jesus Christ alone. So, as Christ followers, we are constrained to share the gospel throughout the world to others who are lost.
Paul shows in the text that there are many ways we can live on mission with Jesus. We can be a part of sharing the gospel by praying for the lost, supporting missionaries through financial provision, and by going ourselves to the lost to preach the gospel. The lost are all around us and throughout the world. We can speak with them at our workplace, in the supermarket, or on a mission journey to another part of the world.
The point is that we have no excuse. As followers of Christ, we must go where He goes and do the work He does. His mission is to find the lost and bring them back into the fold. Our life’s work is to follow our Savior and to join Him on mission by sending, supporting, and sharing the gospel around the world. It takes all of us working together and following the Lord to make an impact on the lostness in this world.
So, for me, as I reflect on my birthday, I have another year of life to plan, to prepare, and to follow my Savior.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- What mission journey will I take this year?
- How will I increase my prayer time for the lost? Whom will I pray for daily to come to know the Lord?
- How will I contribute financially this year to the mission of God? What missionary will I help send, so they can preach the gospel?
- Finally, how many times will I share the gospel this year?