Allowing God’s Love and Joy to Empower You

By Michael Portillo

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself."—Matthew 22:37–39

Many times, the church will send missionaries out to foreign lands where they’re needed. And while this is a very important work of God to bring the hope and healing of the gospel to people around the world, people who are hurting, oppressed, and in need, so often, we as Christians neglect the mission field around us . . . family members, neighbors, teammates, and classmates.

There are so many people in our backyards who have never even heard of the gospel! In fact, a recent study shows that 23% (that basically one out of every four) Gen-Zers have no religion, while 45% (almost one out of every two!) rarely or never attend church. That’s so sad to think about! Knowing what our Lord did for us because of His love for us (John 3:16), knowing the freedom, forgiveness, peace, joy, and salvation He have in Him, how can we stand by and just let the people around us continue to live apart from Him? Sure, we may show God's love sometimes by serving or being kind, we may sit back and pray for our friends to be saved (please know that both of these things are important, good things we should be doing) . . . but in the end, who will tell that person the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ? 

Romans 10:13 makes it clear that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But then in verses 14 and 15, we’re asked, “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? 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?”

It’s sad that half of our classmates and friends never go to church and that a quarter of them have likely never really heard the gospel of Jesus. But there is good news: God has placed you in their life! And He’s given us a command: “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). He’s given us a title: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20). 

Perhaps you're afraid or hesitant. You’re not alone in that. It can be scary to be bold and share the gospel. I understand and have been there! If that’s you right now, I encourage you to pray . . . pray for God’s help and strength, pray for boldness and courage, pray for wisdom and guidance from His Spirit, and pray for more love for others. Let love be your motive for reaching the lost just as it was His motive for saving us!

I once read this quote that really struck me: "My friend, I stand in judgement now, and feel you are to blame somehow. On earth I walked with you by day, and never did you show the way. You knew the Savior in truth and glory, But never did you tell the story. My knowledge then was very dim. You could have led me safe to Him. Though we lived together, here on earth, you never told me of the second birth. And now I stand before eternal Hell, because of heaven's glory you did not tell!" This isn’t meant to make you feel shame or guilt for not having shared the gospel in the past. It is meant to remind us that today, tomorrow, and every day moving forward, we have the opportunity to lead people to Jesus, to tell them the good news that they can be saved from sin and death and hell!

We must never forget the urgency of sharing the good news. The sad reality is that those who reject Him, who do not put their hope and trust in Jesus for their salvation will go to hell. But maybe you and I can play a part in helping others receive the gift of salvation and eternal life!