Share the Good News?

As Christians, we're called on to spread the news of God and Christ's death and resurrection. We're told to reach out to those who have not heard, or do not know God. This is a task God gives each of us in one way or another. And yet, have you noticed that many seem to think that this task means we're to beat people with the Bible? 

We're so considered with the status of someone's soul, and whether or not they're saved, that we tend to go about this task in the wrong way. We point out "you're a sinner - you're going to hell if you don't believe and repent right now!" Now seriously, how is this type of a speech going to get someone to drop to their knees, having complete faith that everything you've said is true, and start confessing and repenting and proclaiming to believe? 

This morning I was reading Acts 14, about the travels of Paul and Barnabas. In Lystra, they healed a man, and immediately the crowd assumed Paul and Barnabas were the gods Hermes and Zeus. They hadn't heard of God before. Instead of berating them, and telling them they were going to go to hell for not believing, or insisting they must believe for their own salvation, Paul and Barnabas tailored their message to the crowds. They insisted they were mere mortals, and that the healing care from God. They also explained how God created everything. And they explained how God showed them kindness, even though they did not know or believe in Him - how "yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good—giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.” (Acts 14:17). 

Paul and Barnabas showed the love of God to these people. 

This is what we should be doing at all times. We should be proclaiming this love with our mouths, and with our actions. I have said it many times, and will continue to say it - it is not showing love to continuously point out the sins and flaws of another person. It is not showing love to abuse someone with scripture. It is not showing love to tell someone they are going to go to hell. And doing any of those things is not going to get someone to turn from sin and turn to God. 

So reach out today and share the true Good News - that we have a gracious, loving, merciful God; who gave His son to live and die for us so that we can be children of God. 

God bless!