Spreading the Good News
By Peter Amsterdam
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The Bible declares that this world, and our lives within it, are not all that there is, and that this life is only a portion of our existence as our spirits continue to live after the death of our bodies. God’s Word also teaches that it’s only possible for us, as humans, to be in God’s presence in the afterlife if we are first reconciled with Him. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
In His great love for the world and each of us in it, God made it possible to bridge the gap between us and Him through Jesus, who gave His life for our sins. Because of this great act of love, our sins are forgiven when we receive Jesus as our Savior, and therefore we will live in God’s presence in the life to come (Ephesians 2:4–6). This is the profound truth that we, as Christians, believe. What a tremendous comfort to know that, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, everyone who receives Him will live with God eternally in the life to come!
There is also a sad part to this story, which is that not everyone has heard the truth of God’s plan of salvation, and many people don’t know or don’t understand or haven’t accepted that eternal life with God is available to them through faith in Jesus. Most of us didn’t know this either, until we heard it from another Christian, either personally or through Christian publications or via the media. Because we were told, we believed, and we inherited eternal life. “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8–9).
I came to faith because my high school friend witnessed to me, patiently answered my questions, and kept the explanations simple enough that I could understand. He showed me some key Bible verses, which spoke powerfully to me. He showed interest, patience, concern, and understanding as he answered my questions and explained God’s deep love for me. My life was completely changed because when I was searching and seeking for answers, someone took the time to witness to me and share their faith.
Perhaps you have a similar story. Someone told you about Jesus or perhaps you heard about salvation from a preacher, or someone witnessed to you at school, or on the street, or in a restaurant. Perhaps it was a friend, a relative, or someone at work, or someone sitting next to you on a bus, train, or plane.
The ways in which we manifest Jesus’ love, acceptance, and compassion for others in our everyday lives—the lives we lead, the love we show, the light of God’s Spirit radiating from within us—is an important part of drawing people to the Lord. But words of explanation are also necessary. We need to talk about the Lord, salvation, and faith to those with whom we interact. As the apostle Paul wrote: “For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:13–14).
People telling others about the gospel is key to conveying the understanding that there is life beyond this life, and that because of God’s deep love for humanity, He has given us the gift, the opportunity, of living with Him forever through Jesus’ death on the cross. If Christians don’t do the “telling,” then many people will miss the opportunity to hear this wonderful news and be saved. No matter what our situation, the call to share this news is always before us. Jesus said: “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit” (John 20:21, 15:16).
Each of us has received the free gift of salvation—free for us but costly for Jesus. He gave all of Himself to redeem humankind, but He depends on us and has commissioned us as Christians to share the message with others. And if we fail to do so, there is no guarantee they’ll hear it some other way.
The apostle Paul succinctly expressed how important sharing the gospel with others is when he stated, “For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). Other Bible translations of this verse translate this as “An obligation is laid on me” (NRS), “I am compelled to preach” (NIV). Another version expresses it like this: “I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!” (NLT).
As Christians, we have been given the greatest gift anyone can ever receive. We have found the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45–46). We have the privilege of entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Multitudes yearn for what we already know and have received, whether they realize it or not.
Because of God’s love and mercy, we are privileged to know the truth, the purpose and meaning of life. We have a relationship with God, our heavenly Father, that will extend into eternity. Others are seeking for the answers and purpose and to understand the meaning of life, and God, in His love, wants them to have the opportunity to know the way, the truth, and the life that can only be found through Jesus (John 14:6). How sad, how deeply regrettable it is, when we as Christians, who are so richly blessed, don’t share the truth with others, when Jesus’ directive to share the good news with others is ignored.
It most definitely can be a challenge to do this with the busy lives we all lead. Yet Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross for each one of us, and another Christian sacrificed time and effort to share the good news with us. As has been said, Christ alone can save this world, but Christ can’t save this world alone. Someone has to tell people about Jesus and salvation, and when God brings a person across our path, we are that someone.
If we truly recognize the deep love and concern God has for each person, and that Jesus gave His life so they can possess eternal life, then we will feel compelled to tell those whom the Lord leads us to or brings across our path—even if it’s inconvenient, difficult, costly, or humbling.
We are directed by the Savior of our souls to present the opportunity to know Him to others—to bring the awareness of the great gift that was freely given to us to those who have not yet heard or understood the gospel message. Are we willing to do this? Do we pray for souls, and then put feet to our prayers? Do we pray for laborers who will share the message with others, and are we willing to be those laborers ourselves? Do we pray for the Lord to bring those who are searching across our path? Do we ask the Holy Spirit to lead us to those who will respond to God’s love? Are we willing to give some of our time, effort, thought, prayer, and action toward the commission Jesus has given us? When faced with someone in need of eternal life, do we take action by sharing the message of salvation with them?
We have been commissioned to be His witnesses and to proclaim the gospel through our lives, our words, and our actions. “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
If we’re committed to doing what Jesus has asked of us, we will do our part to share the good news with others. If we realize the eternal effect it will have on someone’s life and future, we will be faithful to His great commission. If we love our neighbors as ourselves, as Jesus taught us to, then we will be compelled to let them know how deeply God loves them, and to show them how they can enter the kingdom of heaven through believing in Jesus.
Let’s each do our part to spread the good news and help others to come to faith in Jesus and to receive His gift of salvation and eternal life.
Originally published April 2013. Adapted and republished January 2026. Read by Jon Marc.
