“Go Into the World”

By David Holder
    “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all nations” (Mark 16:16). So Jesus commissioned His disciples following His resurrection. He sent His men into the world to preach good news to everyone. By application, we are to take the good news of our Savior into the world. If we don’t, who will?
    We Must Go Into The World With Our Eyes Opened. When Jesus sent out His hand-picked representatives, He wanted them to go with opened eyes (Matthew 10:16). He knew they would be as sheep in the midst of wolves and would need to be both shrewd and innocent. We must take the gospel to a world that does not know Jesus (John 1:10) and does not want light (John
3:19-20). We work in enemy territory and must have our eyes opened.
    We Must Go Into The World With Our Hearts Opened. It is easy in a society permeated by sin either to acquiesce to its pressures or to grow cynical and skeptical about it. We may need to take a step back to see the larger picture. Our world is subjected to futility. Creation is suffering and groaning (Romans 8:18-23). People live fragmented lives, scattered and shattered by sin, whether they know it or not. Sin is taking its awful toll and sinners are its victims. We need to open our hearts to the sin-wrecked lives of our friends, neighbors and loved ones.
    We Must Go Into The World With Our Hands Opened. All Christians cannot go to distant places to preach. But some can, and we should send them, support them, and encourage them. In Corinth, Paul joined with Aquila and Priscilla in tent-making to support himself while preaching. Given the circumstances, Paul was careful and judicious in receiving support from the Corinthians themselves (see 1 Corinthians 9:3-14). But then Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, and he “began devoting himself completely to the word” (Acts 18:1-5). They brought financial resources to Paul, enabling him to focus entirely on preaching the gospel.
    We Must Go Into The World With Our Mouths Opened. Finally, this is what it takes--you and me telling people about Jesus. It may be an invitation to services. It may be a suggestion to have a Bible study or to set up a Bible study with someone else teaching. It may be inviting children to Vacation Bible School or bringing children to the classes. Who knows what God may do through your invitation or words of encouragement.
- David Holder; - via the weekly bulletin of the Harrisburg Church of Christ in Harrisburg, IL.  You may visit their website at http://www.harrisburgchurchofchrist.org