Fresh Start August 2016 | Page 23

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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