Matthew 4:19 (ESV) … “And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Why should we reach back into the world to share our faith with lost people? Especially those who are happy in their lost condition? Why bother them if they are happy with the gospel? There are many reasons why we should witness to others.
• Christ died for those who are lost
Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 reminds us that at one time, we were fallen too. Not only did God love us anyway; he died for us, just as he died for our unsaved friends, family, coworkers, and acquaintances.
• Christ also loves them too
Luke 19:10 tells us, “ ‘Tor the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.’ ” This is yet another reason why we should reach back into the world.
In Matthew 9:36–38 we can clearly see that the heart of Jesus was drawn toward the multitudes: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’ ”
• Those lost desperately need Christ
Jesus still loves the multitudes today. Their numbers may be greater, but their needs are the same. They need the Good Shepherd; they need his love, forgiveness, compassion, and help.
Many are drowning in hurting marriages, drugs, alcohol, loneliness, and lack of purpose. Their loneliness is a God-shaped vacuum that can be filled only with a relationship with God himself.
Whether they are a person in a three-piece suit behind a mahogany desk, a businesswoman who looks so “together,” a young mother, a teen, or a student—those without Christ are empty.
• Jesus calls us to be “fishers of men”
Were we not called to fish for men? Matthew 4:19 says, “ ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ ”
A “fisher of men” is someone who throws a lifeline to those thrashing in the sea of despair. In reality, the unbeliever is desperate to be rescued by the truth of God’s love and salvation.
God calls us to go into his harvest. If you are living in isolation from the world and the only friends you have are in your comfortable Bible study, Wednesday night church get-togethers, Sunday school, Christian picnics, retreats, homeschool events, and concerts, you will never experience the joy of sharing your faith. Your life will become dry because you are ignoring the call to work in his fields. You will lose a sense of vitality that comes from obedience to the Great Commission.
God did not call us to hide from the world. He called us to go into the world. After all, the world cannot know Jesus if we keep his identity a secret. We must go and tell others who he is. Remember Romans 10:15, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Matthew 28:19 reminds us to “go and make disciples.” We need to go because we cannot make disciples at a distance.
The message of Jesus’ good news continues to ripple from one heart to the next. This ripple effect washed into our own lives and will continue to flow to others. If we are obedient, eternity will expand to include those people to whom God has called us to tell the good news.[1]
[1] Fay, W., & Shepherd, L. E. (1999). Share Jesus without Fear (pp. 113–115). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
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