Word@Work 215 - Mark 16:15-16
Published: Tue, 09/23/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 16:15-16 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (NIV)*
This passage echoes Matthew 28:18-20; which we know as the Great Commission. It also reflects John 3:18 which makes an infinite distinction between those who believe in the Lord Jesus and those who do not ... the former are saved but the latter are already condemned. That is why the Commission is so 'Great' - it has huge importance because those who do not respond to the Gospel message are already in the lap of hell. And it is only the Gospel that has the power to reveal Jesus as the Saviour who can 'rescue us from the coming wrath' (cf 1 Thessalonians 1:10).
If Jesus had intended to save sinners without any participation from those who have already been saved, He would never have issued this call to go. Nor would He have been interested in risking the lives of martyrs, if their sacrifice had no benefit to His Kingdom. The fact remains that He did commission the disciples and through them, the church. His chosen method for the growth of the Kingdom is that ordinary Christians should tell what Christ has done for them, and urge others to believe in Him.
So, it is time to dispose of the old excuses which are based on the fear of what others may think (even if they are dressed up in more spiritual looking clothes), and accept our responsibility to tell of Christ wherever we go. If that were our first thought in the business day or the family weekend, then it will not be long before the opportunity comes to do it. All we have to do is to tell!
Prayer: Father God. Thank you for helping me to see that I have a responsibility to work with You in telling the Gospel. I know that none of my friends are 'sitting on the fence', but until they are saved they are already lost. Please help me to speak of Jesus today. In His Name. Amen.
*The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20 (more info at www.gotquestions.org/Mark-16-9-20.html)
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
This passage echoes Matthew 28:18-20; which we know as the Great Commission. It also reflects John 3:18 which makes an infinite distinction between those who believe in the Lord Jesus and those who do not ... the former are saved but the latter are already condemned. That is why the Commission is so 'Great' - it has huge importance because those who do not respond to the Gospel message are already in the lap of hell. And it is only the Gospel that has the power to reveal Jesus as the Saviour who can 'rescue us from the coming wrath' (cf 1 Thessalonians 1:10).
If Jesus had intended to save sinners without any participation from those who have already been saved, He would never have issued this call to go. Nor would He have been interested in risking the lives of martyrs, if their sacrifice had no benefit to His Kingdom. The fact remains that He did commission the disciples and through them, the church. His chosen method for the growth of the Kingdom is that ordinary Christians should tell what Christ has done for them, and urge others to believe in Him.
So, it is time to dispose of the old excuses which are based on the fear of what others may think (even if they are dressed up in more spiritual looking clothes), and accept our responsibility to tell of Christ wherever we go. If that were our first thought in the business day or the family weekend, then it will not be long before the opportunity comes to do it. All we have to do is to tell!
Prayer: Father God. Thank you for helping me to see that I have a responsibility to work with You in telling the Gospel. I know that none of my friends are 'sitting on the fence', but until they are saved they are already lost. Please help me to speak of Jesus today. In His Name. Amen.
*The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20 (more info at www.gotquestions.org/Mark-16-9-20.html)
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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