You shall be my witnesses (Acts 1:8). Go, teach, and baptize in order to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19-20). These were Jesus’ final instructions before His ascension back to Heaven (Acts 1:9). Yet, sharing the gospel with others is often a thankless assignment that is at best misunderstood, and at worst resented.
These disconcerting responses should not discourage our evangelistic zeal, though. Even Jesus faced the rejection of His contemporaries (Luke 17:25) and the scorn of His own people (John 1:11). Sometimes, pointing others to the light results in joyful salvation and celebration. Yet, much of our world, dare I say most of it, loves the darkness more than the light of Christ in order to protect their evil deeds (John 3:19-21). Obeying Christ’s command to spread the gospel is not as easy as we might assume.
In addition to the world’s waywardness, life just has a way of wearing us down. Unexpected sickness. Unpaid bills. Unresolved conflict. Unmet needs. Unfair accusations. Unplanned detours. Even the most passionate Christians who love to share the gospel are often blindsided by circumstances beyond their control. In fact, suffering is often Satan’s last defense against believers who are making a difference in God’s kingdom.
Nothing tempts us to question the goodness of God and neglect the spread of His gospel like the unforeseen interruptions in our lives. Pain often drains our passion and dampens our enthusiasm for the Great Commission. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Dooley
The Apostle Paul’s example throughout the book of Philippians is astounding. Writing from prison while contemplating life and death (Phil. 1:21-24), God’s missionary warhorse saw his hardship as a means to the gospel rather than the hindrance of it. Instead of bemoaning his difficulties, Paul chose to use them for spreading the Good News in unusual ways. Though no one covets a reservation at the local jail, the apostle was open to the possibility that he was God’s vehicle for shining the gospel’s light in a very dark place (Phil. 1:12).
And what was the result of such mature faith? A shift change every six hours brought a new member of the Praetorian Guard to watch over God’s apostle, and each one heard the redemptive story of a Jewish Messiah who died, was buried, and then rose from grave. The message spread like wildfire to encompass what the Bible simply calls everyone else (Phil. 1:13). For two years, day after day, soldier after soldier, visitor after visitor, this faithful believer used the harshness of his surroundings to reach as many people as possible with the message of salvation by grace through faith. Inspired by his commitment, other believers also grew bolder in their witness for Christ (Phil. 1:14). Paul’s starting point was the key.
If our faithfulness ends when our comfort ceases, it reveals our allegiance to the idol of self. By viewing our lives as a battleground for God’s glory, however, we are free to redeem our heartache for the good of the kingdom. Our goal for living cannot be about ourselves if we are to kindle the fire of evangelism deep within us. Contrary to our natural impulses, when living is for Christ, even death is gain (Phil. 1:21).
Thus, instead of asking, “Why me?” when trouble comes, we ought to consider instead, “How can You use me because of this, Lord?” Our adversity can be a platform for the gospel as long as we are not slaves to our circumstances.
Maybe God put you in a hospital bed to win your nurse to Christ. The promotion you missed may have nothing to do with your resume and, instead, may be because the people in your current office need to be saved. Perhaps the change in plans you resent is God’s way of opening up your most fruitful season to share His Word. What we see as failures are often new opportunities to point others to Christ. Some things are too painful to waste, so let’s be faithful to share the light of Christ on our best days and our worst days. B&R — Adam B. Dooley is pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, TN, and author of Hope When Life Unravels. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @AdamBDooley.