Messengers on Mission

By Danny Saavedra

“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’” Romans 10:14–15 (NLT)

Imagine this with me: An actress is filming a scene but she wasn’t given her lines at all. She just stands there in front of a green screen with no clue what the scene is, what her role is, or what she needs to say or do. When they start rolling, she is baffled, standing there like a deer in the headlights. The director yells cut and is upset by what just took place, but does he have any right to be? How can she know what to do and say if she wasn’t given a script or any context for what was taking place in the scene? 

In today’s verse, the apostle Paul essentially asks the same thing as it pertains to faith. How can we expect people who aren’t told about the gospel to live out the gospel? How can we get so indignant at nonbelievers when their lifestyle doesn’t line up with the Christian way of life they know little to nothing about—and what some unfortunately see as a poor representation of living in Christ as portrayed by the mainstream media and sometimes by Christians living a poor witness? How can we expect them to live according to the message of the cross when “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV)? How can they be saved if we don’t tell them the good news of salvation?

My friend, if you are in Christ you have been sent by Christ to bring the message of Christ to those who don’t know Christ. It’s not just a call for some Christians, it’s not just the job of a select group of believers or pastors, it’s not just for the outgoing, extroverted, or charismatic speakers . . . it’s everyone’s mission. Mark 16:15 (NIV) says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation,” while Matthew 28:19 (NIV) says, “go and make disciples of all nations.” This is for all of us. 

You don’t need Bible college training to do this. Like the woman at the well we learned about recently, who immediately went into her town to tell people about Jesus, you just need to tell people the good news that Jesus loves them, died for them, and can change their lives and hearts in ways they never thought possible. Like the blind man who said, “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" (John 9:25 (NIV), you don’t need to know everything, you just need to know Christ! 

The gospel of Jesus has the power to change every heart on its own. All you need to do is be the messenger who delivers this good news. 

Pause: Have you ever found yourself angry or upset with nonbelievers for living and believing as they do? Should you be angry at them? Do you have any valid reason? Who should you be upset with?

Practice: Find someone in your life who is a nonbeliever. Ask the Lord to open his or her heart to receive, to open a door for you to share the gospel, to give you the boldness to share, and for the words to flow from the Spirit and not from you. Then when He makes a way, when the Spirit leads, be His messenger!

Pray: Father, give me the boldness to proclaim Your gospel to those around me. Give me the words, the heart, and the opportunities to share the good news. Amen.