And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:15).
Someone rightly said that it’s better to light a candle than to curse darkness. Those who haven’t known Jesus are in darkness and that’s why He said, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not walk in darkness” (John 12:46). So as Christians we shouldn’t waste time condemning the darkness—just turn on the light and darkness will go! That’s why the Lord Jesus told us to preach the ‘gospel’ which is ‘the good news’ of what His death, burial and resurrection accomplished for humanity. It’s not enough that you’re preaching a message about Jesus Christ; it’s got to be “good news,” for if it’s not “good news” then it’s not gospel. Some folks don’t like it when they hear us preach the good news to sinners. “Why not preach against sin, instead of ‘watering down’ the gospel” they query. It’s obvious that such folks don’t understand the gospel of Christ. Jesus didn’t send us to preach sin to the sinners but the good news.
You don’t have to terrify the one you’re preaching to or condemn him about his sin; he’s a sinner and that’s the only life he knows, which is why he needs a new life. The gospel to the sinner is that eternal life is available to him from God now, and that he doesn’t have to continue to wallow in sin and guilt anymore. Your message should gladden his heart and show him that God loves him in spite of all the wrongs in his life, and sent Jesus to bear the penalty of his sins.
This is the message that turns sinners into saints and melts even the hardest and most callous heart; it’s the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). Remember, it’s the goodness of God that leads men to repentance (Romans 2:4), not the terror or judgment of God. So the next time you open your mouth to preach, make sure you preach the good news.
By Pastor Anita
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And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be save...