Be Just Like Paul

It may seem obvious that in order to share the gospel, you need to have a desire to do just that: share the gospel. Unfortunately, we often try to share the gospel because we have to, not necessarily because we want to. Maybe it is our fear that blocks our desire. Our sense of inadequacy, or offending others, contributes to the fear. As a result, we struggle. We don’t really want to share the gospel but we try to force ourselves in order to be obedient.

I am not suggesting that our desire to be obedient is a bad thing. Rather, it is a good and motivating thing. Jesus tells us clearly “If you love me keep my commands” (Joh 14:15) and “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching” (Joh 14:23). We know, of course, that one of the things that Jesus commands of us is to share the gospel. So, we can’t escape the fact that in order to be a follower of Jesus we must obey Him and a very big part of that obedience is to share the gospel, whether we want to or not.

So, no, I am not saying that feeling obligated to share the gospel is a bad thing, rather what I am saying is that while we have an obligation to share the gospel, our success in sharing the gospel is enhanced by our desire. We share not because we have to but because we want to. Knowing that we are obligated to share the gospel doesn’t really matter because we would share the gospel anyway, even if we weren’t obligated. This type of sharing comes from the heart. It is real and compelling. It can’t be seen as checking off a to-do list because it is something we are obligated to do.

Paul the Apostle was probably the greatest missionary of all time. What motivated Him? In my mind, there is no question that Paul’s drive to share the gospel was centered around his own conversion. He has a sense of gratitude because his conversion from his prior life was so dramatic. He wrote, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Tim 1:15).

Paul, the great missionary and writer of most of our New Testament, believed that he is the worst among all sinners! In a practical sense of course, at least in some way, he is right. He was so convinced that the new Christian movement was blasphemy, that he hunted down Christians and had them imprisoned.   He not only stood by as Stephen, the first martyr for the Christian faith, was stoned to death, but also approved it (see Acts 7).

Paul not only believed that his terrible sins were forgiven but that he was forgiven for a purpose. Paul writes, “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life” (1 Tim 1:16) It was clear to Paul that people could look at him and say, “If Jesus can forgive Paul, then He can forgive me.”

In human terms, we may see Paul’s sins as bigger than ours. In reality though, I have just as much reason to be grateful as Paul did. Every impure thought. Every action that was wrong, big or small. Even every good thing done with the wrong motivation. They all make me a sinner. Those sins put me into the darkness but God “has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Col 1:13). Even though my sins are different, I was once just as far away from God as Paul was.

Just like Paul, I should feel compelled to share the gospel because I feel so deeply the gratitude that results from having my sins forgiven. And, I have to say, if we don’t feel a deep sense of gratitude, or perhaps think “I’m not that bad”, then we have misunderstood the depth of God’s mercy and grace toward us. This is where a desire to share the Gospel begins. With a proper perspective, we are compelled to fulfill our obligation to share about Jesus out of desire. We want to share because we simply can’t contain our gratitude.

So, just for a moment, contemplate the depth of your sin. Don’t wallow in guilt. Instead, revel in God’s mercy and grace because He loves you. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). Wow!

Feel anew the sense of gratitude resulting from His forgiveness. Be just like Paul, let your gratitude fuel your desire to share the gospel at every opportunity. And remember, God “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4).

David Foucar has a passion for teaching God’s word and has led Sunday School, Bible Studies, and Small Groups of all ages. He has served as a supply preacher and has been a lead speaker and seminar leader at Couples Retreats, Men’s Retreats, and Family and Youth Camps. David’s first book, “What Do I Say When Asked About Jesus?” is a conversational approach to helping people answer questions about Jesus. The book provides a layman’s perspective on personal evangelism and the basics of the Christian faith. “What Do I Say When Asked about Jesus?” gives the average Christian tools to help share about Jesus while increasing confidence in their own faith. Dave has been married for thirty-six years to the love of his life, Debbie. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters.  To read more of David’s writing visit his Substack page.

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash