We’ve talked about this not too long ago, so this should be short and sweet. I’ve mentioned before that we were chosen before the beginning of the world to be God’s children.
There have been, however, Christians who have taken this concept too far and said, “Well, if God has already chosen those who will be saved, there’s no need for us to go out and evangelize them.”
That kind of thinking overlooks one key thing. God commands us to go.
The reason: though he doesn’t need us to evangelize, nevertheless, he chooses to spread his gospel through us. He has given us the keys to his kingdom.
But if we don’t use them, people will not be saved.
That’s why Paul says,
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Romans 10:14)
These are all rhetorical questions, and the answer is crystal clear to all of them. People can’t.
They can’t call on the one they haven’t believed in. They can’t believe in the one they have not heard. And they cannot hear without someone preaching to them.
Paul then says,
And how can they preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10:15)
Again, the answer is that they can’t.
But here’s the thing to note: God has called all of us who are believers to go. All of us have been commissioned by him to go and share his gospel.
Jesus told his disciples and us,
As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. (John 20:21)
And again,
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)
We don’t need to wait for him to send us. He already has.
So Paul says of those who take the gospel out,
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! (Romans 10:15b)
How about you? You’ve been given the keys to the kingdom.
What are you doing with them?
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 