Four Ways to Reach Others

Jesus teaches us that reaching others with His gospel begins with four essential practices drawn from His sending of the 70 disciples. First, we must pray deeply, beseeching the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers, recognizing that only the Holy Spirit saves and transforms hearts. We cannot be faithful followers of Christ if we are not at least stumbling evangelists, willing to share the good news with those around us. Second, we must go humbly into a world that will oppose us, understanding that we go as lambs among wolves but trusting in God's protection and purpose even when we face rejection. Third, we must pursue peacefully, bringing God's peace into our interactions and communities, avoiding strife while remaining faithful witnesses who do not compromise the message for comfort or gain.

Finally, we must preach boldly, declaring the full truth of the gospel in love, not watering down the reality that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. The good news is that Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, lived the perfect life we could never live, died on the cross to take our sins upon Himself, and rose on the third day to offer us salvation and eternal life in paradise. We dare not neglect to tell people they need Jesus, for the truth without love condemns, but love without truth deceives people into hell. As His representatives sent into the world, we carry the authority and message of Christ Himself, and those who receive us receive Him, while those who reject us reject Him and the Father who sent Him.