How the Gospel Makes Christians

CONSIDER THIS

It’s quite a convoluted story of how Fritz Kreisler, a world-famous violinist, acquired an exquisite violin. When he discovered it, he can’t afford it. When he returns to the seller with cash in hand, he learns it’s been sold to a collector. The collector tells Fritz it is now his prized possession and how could he ever part with it? Keenly disappointed, but not ready to give up, Fritz asks, “Can I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?” Permission is granted, and the great virtuoso fills the room with such heart-moving music that the collector’s emotions are deeply stirred. “I have no right to keep that to myself,” he exclaims. “It’s yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it.”

So it is with the gospel. How dare we keep the good news to ourselves? When we recognize that faith in Jesus not only gives life but transforms and empowers us, we can’t contain it but will want to proclaim it from the mountaintops so the whole world will know!

This is why the apostle Paul preached the gospel literally everywhere he went, to anyone and everyone who would listen. When Paul arrived in Thessalonica, as in other cities, the gospel affected the people greatly. Here’s the proof. The people who believed were remarkably changed by the gospel. And others noticed!

Do you see how the gospel still has power to impact others — through your life? Are you living for Jesus as if He was going to return at any moment? The great news is the gospel still has the power to change lives today. Time to pull on our hiking boots to proclaim the gospel everywhere we go!