therefore all died.” You can love people by introducing them to God’ s love and compassion as demonstrated by Christ on the cross.
5. The future of unbelievers matters deeply to God. Humankind desperately needs the salvation Jesus offers. John 3:18 says,“ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’ s one and only Son.” As Christians, our awareness that family, friends, and strangers will otherwise be eternally separated from God motivates us to proclaim the hope of Christ. Similarly, Philippians 2:3-4 encourages us to“ value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Witnessing to the people in your life is a way to put the utmost value on their lives— their eternal lives.
Even more, it brings both God and us joy. Luke 15:7 and 15:10 tell us there is rejoicing in heaven when even one sinner repents. Beyond the heavenly celebration, we too experience great joy when we see people’ s lives transformed by Christ.
6. God is passionate about our personal growth. When we proclaim the good news, we grow as Christ’ s disciples. Evangelism opens us up to the adventure of obeying God and collaborating with him in ways that strengthen our faith and transform our thinking. Jesus even promises we’ re empowered for evangelism by the Holy Spirit( Acts 1:8), and that he loves us enough to see to it that“… every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful”( John 15:2). 7. God is glorified. Salvation is something only God can provide and something for which only he deserves the glory. As Christ’ s ambassadors( 2 Corinthians 5:20), then, we are instruments by which God receives all the honor, thanks, and praise. Lucky for us, Jesus encourages us to be part of that process:“ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”( Matthew 5:16).
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