Harvest Daily 10/21/04

Harvest Daily Devotional
by Pastor Greg Laurie

October 21
Unless Someone Tells Them

"I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you." -Matthew 28:18-20

One thing believers and nonbelievers have in common is that both are very uptight about evangelism.  Believers are uptight about evangelizing, and nonbelievers are uptight about being evangelized.

Maybe you remember someone sharing the gospel with you and you really didn't want to hear it.  Or maybe you know what it is like to share with someone who had no interest in what you were saying.  As intimidating or uncomfortable as sharing your faith may be, it is something every believer has been called to do.  As Romans 10:14 says: "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?"

Jesus left His marching orders for us: "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere" (Mark 16:15).  In the original language, this verse could be translated to say, "I command you to go into all the world."  That is why we call it The Great Commission and not The Great Suggestion.  It is an order from our Commander-in-Chief.  If we are faithful followers of Jesus, then we need to make the attempt.  We need to do what we can to share this message.

You are someone God wants to use, and indeed can use, to bring the life-changing message of the gospel to this generation.  Will you be open?  Will you be available?  The opportunities are there.  But it is up to us to seize them.

Copyright (c) 2004 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright (c) 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.