Some food for thought:
What would happen if suddenly two or three people in your youth group, church, campus missionary group, etc.
decided that they would go to any length to follow God's will for their
lives? Not just to follow in secret, but to make it obvious to others what they are doing. To live a life exhibiting character as similar as possible to that of Jesus.
Unashamed and totally on fire for God, they just followed His will
without any agenda of their own.
Do you have any idea how many
people would be impacted? Even those who might not come to know Christ immediately would see that light shining through and notice that
there was something different about those two or three students. It is
unimaginable how God can use something like us just obeying him and not
even having to directly share the gospel with anyone. God works in
mysterious ways, not just through open evangelism. In order for a seed of faith to grow, it must first by planted and watered (by people like you and me!).
Now, take those
two students. Let's say they only end up inspiring two other students themselves to follow God
with all their heart. Although that doesn't seem like much at all, every
single soul counts when heaven is at stake. If those two students
also only inspired two other people, and so on and so forth, before
long the word of God and His unconditional love would spread
throughout the nations!
Do you see how by merely following God's agenda
for our lives and making small differences in the lives of those around us, everything counts? What
would happen if those original two influenced more than two people
themselves? What if your ENTIRE youth group, or church, or community
took this challenge?
Some words of encouragement (I promise it's worth your time to read through them all!):
Romans 10:10-17
New International Version (NIV)
10 For
it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is
with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and 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 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? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Matthew 5:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 10:7-15
The Message (MSG)
5-8 Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:
“Don’t
begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And
don’t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost,
confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the
kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the
untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so
live generously.
9-10 “Don’t think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don’t need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light.
11 “When
you enter a town or village, don’t insist on staying in a luxury inn.
Get a modest place with some modest people, and be content there until
you leave.
12-15 “When
you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting. If they welcome
you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don’t welcome you, quietly
withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.
You can be sure that on Judgment Day they’ll be mighty sorry—but it’s no
concern of yours now.
Colossians 4:2-6
New International Version (NIV)
Further Instructions
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
1 Peter 3:15
New International Version (NIV)
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...
Isaiah 6:8
New International Version (NIV)
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
There's just some food for thought. Every little bit does, in fact, make a difference. You can be that difference in someone's life. What an awesome privilege!
Dios los bendiga, mis hermanos.
--Lindsay
**Craving more scripture on the topic of spreading the message of Christ? Check out http://www.openbible.info/topics/evangelism.**
