“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 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? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”
Every year at Thanksgiving our kitchen trash can will overflow with paper plates that were used during the meal. The trash can will overflow with cups, plates, and food scraps from our feast. One by one, our family will take their trash to the can, notice that the trash is full and needs to be taken out, turn our plate upside down, smash the trash into the can, and leave the overflowing trash for someone else to take out. Does this happen at your family gatherings?
This small picture gives us a glimpse into our human nature – we are typically quick to see needs and slow to meet needs. We are quick to see the problems and issues around us. We notice inefficiencies. We see needs. We are frustrated with problems. But how quickly do we step in and meet those needs?
The Bible is full of people who tried to avoid their responsibility.
- Jonah – “I’ll go, just not where you want me to go.”
- The young rich ruler – “I’ll do anything for you Jesus, but I won’t do that one thing you asked me to do.”
- Religious leaders asked, “Who is my neighbor?” – Translation: “I’m ok with loving the people I already love and hating the people I hate.”
- The disciples asked, “How many times should we forgive?” – Translation: “When can stop forgiving someone who has wronged me?”
[Read: Who Do You Say I Am? – Matthew 16:15]
In Romans 10 Paul shares that our ultimate responsibility is to know Jesus and to make Jesus known. This chapter contains one of the greatest passages about salvation and one of the greatest passages about missions and sharing our faith. At the core, Paul expresses the importance of knowing Jesus (faith/discipleship) and making Jesus known (evangelism).
To know Jesus is more than an intellectual understanding but an intimate relationship. To make Jesus known is more than yelling the name of Jesus in a crowded room, but helping people enter into a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus.
God has gifted you and positioned you to make the name of Jesus known today. People are in desperate need of the goodness and grace of Jesus. Don’t avoid your responsibility to make Jesus known today.
Live It:
- How is your relationship with Jesus?
- Who needs to know the hope that is found in Jesus? How are you going to share that with him/her today?
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Chase Snyder
Writer, Pastor
