Articles
Being Encouraging While Speaking the Good News
The Covid pandemic has tremendously impacted people’s mental health across the globe. Repeated quarantines and lock downs can create an overwhelming sense of isolation. Meanwhile, the virus itself can generate intense fears and anxieties about being around others. Although there has been great suffering, God provides hope for His children. Although baptism is the first step in developing a close relationship with God, following His commands changes a person’s heart and actions. Even though the pandemic is winding down for numerous Americans, it still remains a high risk for many others, so how can God’s children be a righteous encouragement?
In Mark 12:29-30, Jesus said the command most important command for a follower is to love Him with all their heart, mind, body, and soul. The best way a person can show their love for God is by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. In Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus told His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Just before these verses, Jesus demonstrated to His followers that bringing souls to God requires compassion and action. Jesus took action by visiting all the cities, villages and towns proclaiming and teaching the gospel. Then he had compassion by healing all their diseases and afflictions. God’s children bring healing to others by proclaiming the power of Christ, being generous, and going to God in prayer on their behalf. God’s message is relevant to anyone, at any time, and any place.
In Mark 12:31, Jesus explains the second greatest command is to love their neighbors as themselves. God’s children have a mission to help to others both spiritually and physically. Romans 12:10-11 says, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” When bring God’s encouragement to others, cellphones have granted God’s children rapid communication and the post office offers the snail mail option. The internet also has many websites that can be shared. Romans 12:13 reads, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
Jesus brought others to God by loving and teaching each individual soul.. This is what evangelism is all about: guiding souls to Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:6 says, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” Christ’s followers can not control whether, or not a person will decide to develop a relationship with Him. 2 Timothy 2:24-25 says, “And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.” God is able to strengthen and save those who accept Him from the troubles they face in this life. Despite the risk of Covid, how are you encouraging others to grow in their relationship with Christ?
