The Urgency of Preaching the Gospel

The Urgency of Preaching the Gospel

Once this earthly life ends, it is not the end of our journey. Scripture makes it clear: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27, KJV). Each person will stand before God, facing His righteous judgment according to their works. For those not found in the Book of Life, there is a fearful certainty of a guilty verdict and a second death, "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  [15]  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:14-15, KJV). This is a sobering reality.

Every human is appointed to die once because "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23, KJV). Following death, we face the terrifying prospect of God’s judgment. Many around us are heading toward this eternal fate, and we must not push this truth to the back of our minds. Whether we’re walking through a store, at work, or in our community, we are surrounded by souls who might leave this life today, unprepared for eternity.

Jesus Christ is the only remedy to this eternal separation from God. John reminds us, "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (1 John 3:17, KJV). How can we claim the love of God if we withhold the greatest treasure we possess—the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee" (Acts 3:6, KJV). What we have, what we carry within us, is the testimony of God. Paul declared, "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2, KJV). This is the record of heaven: "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son" (1 John 5:11, KJV).

The gospel message is the bridge from eternal wrath to eternal life. It reconciles men to God, offering the free gift of justification through Jesus Christ. Knowing this, we carry a sacred responsibility. Man is in a desperate state, but we hold the answer, the hope of salvation.

Do not let fear, complacency, or busyness silence your voice. Share the gospel with urgency and compassion, for the eternity of souls depends on it.

What is the Gospel?

The gospel is the good news of salvation offered freely by God through His Son, Jesus Christ. It begins with the understanding of God’s righteousness and wrath. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men" (Romans 1:18, KJV). All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23, KJV). Humanity's sin separates us from God and makes us deserving of eternal judgment.

But God, in His infinite love, provided a Savior: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8, KJV). Jesus Christ's death on the cross and His shed blood serve as the payment for our sins, bringing forgiveness. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7, KJV). His resurrection secures our justification: "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" (Romans 4:25, KJV).

Through the cross work of Christ, God offers justification and eternal life freely to those who believe: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8, KJV). It is only by hearing (understanding) and believing (sincerely receiving) the gospel message, trusting in the work of Christ on your behalf, that one can be saved: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17, KJV).

This gospel is not just a message—it is the power of God unto salvation: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16, KJV). Let us proclaim it with boldness, knowing that it is the greatest treasure we have to offer to those facing eternity without Christ.

The concept is simple: 

Sinners acknowledge their sin, turn to God, believe in His Son, and call upon His name. Once He has justified them, He asks them to walk in the same love with which He has loved them. This is what defines the Christian life.