Taking the Gospel

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19

“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,”1 Corinthians 15:3-4

The technology we have today allows us to handle many tasks by electronic correspondence or by mail.  We pay our bills, communicate with out of town friends, do some computer work remotely, get a degree, and even do your taxes, via a combination of the internet and mail.  My office has certain clients that I, personally, have never met because they live out of town, and we complete their taxes or financial records through these methods.  I even submit this devotional for copying via email (and post it for reading online.)  We are all blessed with the technology we have, and its convenience.

However there are still many other things which cannot be done remotely, your physical presence being required.  Physical labor cannot be done away from the materials and machines needed.  Most medical checkups or exams cannot be done when we are apart from the doctor’s touch and sight.  Then of course “XOXOX” in a letter is not the same as actual kisses and hugs in person. 

Evangelism is best handled in the flesh, where a relationship can easily be established.  Though not essential, the interaction between people in person is the basis of most relationships.  These facts make the Great Commission one of those things that cannot be done exclusively through correspondence.  Jesus commissioned us all to go and take the gospel into all the world.  Taking, involves you physically going somewhere and carrying the object to its destination.  This means we cannot simply send a check to the Cooperative Program or send materials to fulfill our commission duties. We must “take” the gospel to the world also.

Paul tells us a great summary of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15, which was a letter.  However Paul was writing to Christians, many of which he already met in his traveling and establishing of churches.  This is not intended to stop any sharing of the gospel you currently do, whether on Facebook, email, or letter.  I just ask you to consider your “taking” of the gospel.  Are you carrying the gospel where you go and work?  We must also consider that some need to go to other countries to take the gospel, both short-term and long-term.  Billions of people hang in the balance, but it starts with us reaching one at a time.