Our Task

We can’t make people believe the Good News of Jesus and His Kingdom. At best, we can help them understand the abiding hope and joy that come from knowing Jesus and living before Him by grace through faith. And we must be ever ready to perform this task. Our reading today from Joy to Your World! can be found on page 27:

“The reason why we are different has to do with the way we use our reason and time as human beings – in pursuit of the greater knowledge of Him Who has saved and is making us new. It is not our task to convert those who ask a reason for the hope that is within us. It is our task to make sure, to the best of our ability, that we have explained the Good News of Jesus as clearly as we can, and that they understand the hope, promises, and joy available to them through Jesus the Bringer of Joy, the Savior Who reigns. We must be clear about how they may gain the blessings we make known, and what are the consequences of refusing to prepare room in their hearts to receive Jesus as King.

“So when the opportunity for giving a reason for your hope and joy arises, make sure you are ready with the Gospel, because Jesus Christ alone is the reason for the hope that is within us. He is the Bringer of Joy and of forgiveness and eternal life.”

For reflection or discussion
1. What can we do to help people understand the Gospel of the Kingdom? Is this a one-off event or an ongoing process?

2. What are the keys to developing the kind of relationships that make conversations about the Gospel possible?

Evangelism is not an event; it’s a process. And we should be in the process of evangelism with all the people to whom God sends us, praying, helping, loving, and conversing as often as we can. We don’t know how the Spirit will use us, but we want to be on task when He does. Share today’s podcast with a friend, then get together to discuss it. You can order Joy to Your World! from The Ailbe Bookstore. 

T. M. Moore