Have you ever wondered whether you are worthy to share the Gospel . . . the Good News of Jesus Christ?
The short answer is: You are, and even more so, you are called by God to do so.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Right now, right where you are and in whatever you do, you can share Jesus with others.” quote=”Right now, right where you are and in whatever you do, you can share Jesus with others.”]
The longer answer lies in the study of God’s word below.
For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News.
Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT
The words of Paul are true to his character. He was never an apostle who said one thing and did another. His actions followed his words, and he encouraged his audiences to do the same. He lived to preach the sincere and uncorrupted gospel of Christ and encouraged fellow believers to believe and obey.
Paul’s purpose was not to obtain the approval of man but to promote a pure belief in Christ, a Gospel that was without deceit . . . a Gospel that was pure and holy as the Word of God is pure.
We find the reasons for Paul’s approach in 1 Thessalonians 2:4.
- Paul was a steward who was entrusted with the gospel of Christ, and a steward is required to be faithful.
Paul was always clear that the gospel he preached was not his own but that of God. It is important, even for us today, to give the honor to God as we perform His works and not to keep it for ourselves. - Paul’s design and purpose was to please God and not men.
This is the way we are all called to live. God looks beyond the facade of our appearances as He studies our hearts. The truth is we can never achieve such faithfulness towards God by our own doing. We need Him for that. The power of the gospel of Christ was designed to wash away our corrupt appetites and desires and to deliver us from ourselves so that we can walk in the power of our faith in Christ. If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10). - Paul understood to whom he was accountable.
He continuously acted under the consideration of God’s omniscience, as in the sight of Him who tries our hearts. This is the greatest challenge we face, but it was the motive behind Paul’s sincerity, to consider that God not only saw all that he did, but knew his thoughts and searched the heart. God is well acquainted with every part of us. Nothing about us surprises Him. And our rewards will come from Him who tries our hearts.
The same way Paul was found worthy, we are also found worthy in Christ to share His Good News. We are not only worthy, but we are called by God to be citizens of heaven on earth as we are His representatives here on earth.
Having established his worthiness by God to preach the gospel, Paul further encourages us in the way we should walk and endure as believers in Christ.
Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
Philippians 1:27 NLT
Paul wrote these words while in prison. He was no stranger to the trouble one has to endure when you take a stand for Christ. But none of the opposition he faced could make him pursue the love of Christ.
Paul called upon all believers in Christ to let their words and actions line up with the gospel.
Paul had spoken in Philippians 1:26 that he would return but would not have them rely on that. The same applies to us today. We are personally accountable to God. Christ is always at hand. He is always near to us. Just as Paul desired to hear from the believers in Thessalonica, we are called upon today:
- To stand fast in one spirit, with one mind. Be steadfast and immovable in any opposition. Our faith should not follow the ebb and flow of people’s opinions, but we should be steady in the guidance we receive from God’s Word.
- To strive together, not strive one with another; all of us must strive against the common adversary. One spirit and one mind become the gospel; for there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
So what can we take from this?
[clickToTweet tweet=”We are worthy to share the gospel of Christ as God Himself finds us worthy through the cross.” quote=”We are worthy to share the gospel of Christ as God Himself finds us worthy through the cross.”]
He looks beyond our outward appearances and examines our hearts.
Because of Jesus, we can share His gospel.
We should conduct ourselves in a manner reflecting our citizenship of heaven.
In spite of different doctrines, we ought to stand together with fellow believers and endure in the midst of the opposition we will receive along the way.
Father God, thank You for finding us worthy to share the good news of Jesus. Give us the divine opportunities to share Jesus and give us the words and the manner in which they must be spoken so that hearts will turn to You. Help us to endure and to keep our eyes on Jesus, no matter how dark it gets outside. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
