Dear friends,
As followers of Christ, one of our greatest joys and responsibilities is to share the gospel. However, to some, sharing the gospel may feel like an overwhelming task. What if I don’t have all the answers? What if I say something wrong? These are some of the concerns you may have. Some believers feel like they must memorize vast portions of Scripture and be well versed in theology to be effective in sharing the Gospel. However, this is not the case; any believer can do it.
Consider these words from Jesus: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). This command is simple. It reminds us that it is all our mission to share the Gospel. It is not dependent on our ability to recall every verse word for word or having formal Bible training, but on our willingness to share the Gospel with others.
But what is the Gospel? We use this word often, yet some are unaware of what it represents. In Greek, the original language of the New Testament, the word is "euangelion." It is the combination of "eu" meaning "good" and "aggelia" meaning "message." The word literally means a "Good Message" or as it was translated into Old English as "Gōd spel" or "Good News," which is where we get our modern word Gospel today. If then we are to share the Gospel, we are to share the Good News of what Jesus has done in our lives.
The Apostle Paul encapsulates the essence of the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." This message of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith and the core of what we share.
The early church did not have personal copies of the Bible to use in evangelism; they relied on the teachings they received and the truths they held in their hearts. We often forget that the early Christians, without the convenience of printed Bibles or digital resources, still changed the world with the Gospel. They carried the essential truths in their hearts and lived them out daily as living testimonies of Christ’s love and power.
One practical way to share the Gospel is by living a life that reflects Christ’s love. When our actions align with our words, we become credible witnesses. Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). Our love for others can open doors for conversations about the source of that love. And when the door is open, we must tell them the simple Good News. "Christ died for me, He was buried in the grave, and God raised Him up to prove His claims of salvation and redemption. I do not have all the answers, but I can tell you this: I once was one way, and now I am another; so Christ can change you too."
Revelation 12:11 tells us how the Gospel gains its victory when it says, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony." Sharing our personal experiences with God’s grace is the most powerful way to introduce others to the Gospel.
We can also share key Scriptures that we have memorized. Verses like John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved,"
These two verses encapsulate the message of salvation in simple, memorable terms.
So let’s not be overwhelmed by sharing the Gospel. Instead, let’s focus on the core truths and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our conversations. Sharing the Gospel is about being authentic, loving, and willing. It’s about living out our faith in such a way that others are drawn to Christ through us. So let’s be ready to share the hope that is within us, with gentleness and reverence, trusting that God will use our efforts for His glory.
Remember, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few" (Matthew 9:37). Let’s be those laborers, equipped with the love of Christ and the truth of His word, ready to share the good news with a world in need.
