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On Duty

    Many people think of the responsibility of leading others to Jesus as a job. But I believe it is much more than that-- it's a lifestyle. We think that evangelism is something we can turn on and turn off. But if evangelism were considered a job, we would always be "on duty." Some are called and gifted specifically in the area of evangelism, but what about the rest of us? If that is not our calling are we off the hook? Absolutely not! Jesus told His disciples (and us) to go into all the world and spread the word about Jesus. Not only to get them saved, but to make disciples of them. Once we have been discipled, it is our job to keep the process going.

Ephesians 4:11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers (NIV)
Mark 16:15 And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." (NLT)

Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (ESV)

    What does that process look like? It means we should be constantly looking for opportunities to tell someone about Jesus or help them grow in their relationship with Him. That doesn't mean telling people what to do and shoving a Bible in their faces. It does mean opening up doors to minister to others by means of relationship. I think the phrase, "no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care," is a good descriptor of the process. Jesus wants us to love others into His arms. As we continue our journey with Jesus and become more like Him, we show Him to those He puts in our paths. When we love them and they get to know us (and Jesus) they are more open to hear what you have to say about Him.

    Consider this, Jesus has a heart for those who are lost. It is not His will that ANY should be lost. So why is it so easy for us to let people cross our paths without even trying to tell them about Him? How meaningful is your relationship with Jesus that you can just be okay with not sharing the news? If that's you today, get in relationships with those who are passionate about Him and allow them to help you to grow your faith and relationship with Him. And if you are afraid to tell others about Him, don't be. If you get rejected for lovingly sharing about your King, so be it. I don't know about you, but I would rather be temporarily hurt by rejection than to never have even tried to give someone the gift of a lifetime. If you care about your Lord and those He put around you, give them the One thing that can change and restore their lives forever.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. (ESV)

Matthew 18:14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. (ESV)

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