Wednesday, November 28, 2018

The Necessity of Sharing the Gospel

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.”

1 Corinthians 9:16–18

In 1841, Michael Culbertson left a promising military career for a new line of work. Culbertson, who had graduated sixth in his class from West Point in 1839 and later taught at that school, determined God was calling him to China as a missionary. He left behind the US Army for God’s army. Culbertson was in China when the American Civil War began, and many of those he had trained at West Point were now leaders of the army.

A friend told Culbertson that if he had remained in America and was still part of the army, he would surely have been a general in the war. Culbertson responded, “No doubt I might. Men I drilled are in that position. Among these are Sherman, Thomas, Rosecrans. But there is not one with whom I would be willing to exchange. There is no post of influence on earth equal to that of a man who is permitted to give the Word of God to four hundred million of his fellow men.”

There are many things in this life which are valuable and important and worthy of our effort, but there is one task that above all others focuses on the next life, and that is reaching out to others with the gospel. If we accomplish great temporal things but do nothing which impacts eternity, the world may praise us, but eternity will not.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

There is no more important task for any of us than sharing the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.

In the New Testament book of Galatians, Paul again warns: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!" (Galatians 1:8).