The How-to of Winning the World

January 24, 2020

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? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”  Romans 10:14-15 NLT

In this section of his letter to the Roman Christians, Paul has explained how he yearns for the Jews to also be saved. He has been courageous and bold, sharing the good news of Jesus to the Gentiles. But his own people, the Jews, were hostile to Paul. They felt he had betrayed the true faith by turning to Jesus. However, he knew his life had been changed by receiving the truth of Jesus, and he wanted it for them.

Not only did Paul want it for them, he knew this was God’s desire as well. He tells them that God is so anxious for all to receive the sacrifice of Jesus and be saved that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!” (v. 13). Then he launches into a logical progression of the only way it can happen. He asks a series of rhetorical questions: How can they ask Him to save them if they don’t believe on Him? How can they believe on Him if they have never heard about Him? How can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go an tell them unless they are sent?

The answers are all obvious. We, the witnesses, are the critical, vital link between God’s desire to save and the lost person’s need. We are called, commissioned by Jesus, sent to share the good news. The gospel means good news—the news that Jesus came for every lost, broken sinner. That’s all of us. Now, as saved and transformed recipients of the good news of what Jesus Christ has done for us, we get to tell others.

Remember the person who told you that you passed the test? Who told you that you had been accepted for the job or into the circle to which you longed to belong? They still have a special place in your heart. Paul says you have beautiful feet to them because it was you who traveled to the place to bring them great news. If you want to be valued by God and loved by people, there’s no better way than sharing the best news this planet ever heard. It makes you beautiful!

• Whom do you know who needs to be saved? They can’t be until they hear, see, and believe. You can be the one who shares the greatest news they will ever hear! Pray for them and for yourself and start looking for opportunities.