Through the Gospel, born-again believers have been delivered from the World – delivered from the overwhelming influence of Satan and his world system. That power, which operated through our yielding fleshly nature, has been broken. The New Birth makes us realize that we are dead to this world. However, the realities of this liberation are not fully understood by the new believer. Step by step we yield to the Holy Spirit’s influence to see ourselves as in this world, but not of it. With proper understanding from the Scriptures, we will learn to live accordingly.

Now, with all this talk of deliverance and separating from worldly ways, we could easily become isolationists. We could find ourselves colonizing or become aloof and indifferent to others around us who are still in and of the world. An attitude of being “holier than thou” could render us to become no earthly use to God’s purposes described in the Great Commission. See Isaiah 65:5; Jude 20-23; I Corinthians 9:19-23; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15.

“Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature” – Mark 16:15

After the Lord has delivered us from the world’s power and leads us to morally and spiritually separate, so that we are not of the world, then He sends us back into the world. We are to take the Gospel to the world.

Note these classic passages which are termed “The Great Commission” – Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:44-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8. These statements were given to the Apostles and early disciples. Those people constituted Christ’s first church. We must look at these commissioning passages as not just belonging to them, but to all succeeding churches in all generations.

Christ sent us into

• A hostile and dangerous world (Matthew 10:16-20 cp. Romans 8:35-36)
• An unloving world (John 13:34-35; 15:16-19; 17:14-18)
• A divided and divisive world (Matthew 24:4-12; John 17:20-23)
• A dark and unspiritual world (John 3:19-20; 15:20-21 cp. I Corinthians 1:18-21; 2:6-14).

Paul confirms the commission.

Paul often speaks of his unique calling to ministry (Acts 26:8-20; Romans 1:1, 14-16; I Timothy 1:12-16). Yet Paul also calls us to follow his example and to obey the call to share Christ and the Gospel to the world (I Corinthians 10:31 – 11:1; Philippians 1:3-5; 2:14-16; 3:12-17; 4:9; II Corinthians 5:17-20; Romans 10:8-17). See also I Corinthians 9:16-27.

Paul refers to “…the house (household) of God which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground (foundation, buttress, support) of the truth” (I Timothy 3:15). We are the living stones that make up God’s house / church (I Peter 2:5). Does not this mean that we are all a part of holding up / supporting the work of spreading the truth to the world?

Before the Church was formed or the Great Commission was given, God has always intended that His people share the knowledge and glory of God to all nations.

“O Give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy:” (Psalm 107:1-2)

“O Praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise Him, all ye people. For His merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.” (Psalm 117 ~ “The Missionary Psalm)

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because His mercy endureth for ever. Let Israel now say, that His mercy endureth for ever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that His mercy endureth for ever. Let them now that fear the LORD say, that His mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 118:1-4)

“All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom.” (Psalm 145:10-12)

“And in that day shall ye say, ‘Praise the LORD, call upon His name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted. Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.’” (Isaiah 12:4-6)

Thoughts from Psalm 37

In Psalm 37:30-32, God’s people use their mouths to speak the truth in wisdom. They speak of God’s righteous deliverance (salvation). What is in their hearts comes out through their lives and from their mouths. Wicked people watch them. Even though the wicked are looking at them for evil purposes, they are, none the less, looking at them and observing their testimony.

See I Peter 3:13-16 cp. Hebrews 12:1.

Are you taking the Gospel to the World?

You may not be called to preach, as a pastor or evangelist, but we all have been given a testimony and at least one spiritual gift to use for promoting the work of the Gospel. Has your life been changed by Christ? Do you have the wonderful assurance that you are going to heaven? Tell your story to others. Learn how to use Scripture to document your testimony.

See I Peter 4:10-11; II Timothy 1:7-8, 12; 2:8-13 cp. Romans 1:16; 10:17; II Timothy 3:15-17.