Daily Devotion: Engaged and Committed

Scripture:
Romans 10

Main Verse:
Romans 10: 17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Observation:
Why did the Gospel rapidly spread and the number of believers quickly multiplied? Because there were people--the apostles, disciples, and even new believers--who showed concern for the Gospel and for the people who were preaching it. They "lifted their voices together in prayer to God" (Acts 4: 24), they were "united in heart and in mind (Acts 4: 32), and they were meeting regularly (Acts 5: 12). People devoted themselves to the preaching and teaching of the apostles and spent more time immersed in the Word. No one would have believed in Jesus if the Good News were not preached. If the first disciples in Acts had not preached about Jesus's ressurection, no one would have been saved, and no one would have become followers of Christ. It's a chain reaction that would never have happened if nobody had started preaching the Gospel.

Application:
The Lord Jesus wants EVERYONE to be able to hear the Good News. He wants people to come to repentance and receive His free gift of salvation. But He can no longer preach and teach physically, which is why He appointed and assigned "apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors to equip us with works of service" (Ephesians 4: 11-12). For what reason? "So that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4: 12-13). Now, as faithful followers of Christ, we also have a responsibility. We should also be engaged and committed in the work of sharing the message to others. Just like the first believers in Acts, we should pray for the workers and support them, constantly provide encouragement to them, and be of one mind and of one heart. And pray also that the heart of those who may hear the Word may be enlightened, so they may "understand the confident hope He has given to those He called--his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance (Ephesians 1:18 {NLT}).

Prayer:
Lord, the Great Commisssion of preaching the Gospel has been entrusted to all who have witnessed your love, grace, and mercy. As I become more equipped through your Word, may I be able to constantly share the Good News to others, and may they have open ears, so that they may also be able to experience your goodness and compassion. I pray this in your mighty name, Jesus. AMEN.