In the culture we live in, there are people everywhere. When I was growing up, we lived on a farm, so we did not see many people unless we went to town, church, or school. When we did see others, we took advantage of the opportunity to connect with them. With the internet and all types of transportation, it is much easier to communicate with others today. Yet, I find more and more that people are not connecting. They are living their fast-paced lives to get ahead without thinking about the people in their paths. As a Christian, I should reach out to anyone, anywhere I can. Does entering a conversation with a stranger take a little creativity? Absolutely! However, we can’t get away from the command from God to reach out and share His love and His good news.
Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
In Ephesians 4:29, we are to reach out and edify those who are Christians. Once a person accepts Jesus as their personal Savior, they are part of the family of God. They are just like a newborn baby and need to connect with other Christians. They need to be fed the truth of God’s word. There is a good chance they know nothing about the Bible, and unless we teach them, it will be difficult for them to understand and push forward. We are to reach out to those who are babes in Christ and nurture them as a Mom does her baby. Be patient, loving, available, and encouraging, and use every opportunity to keep them focused on growing in Christ. Speak the right words as an example of who you live for and build them up in Him.
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers”
Reach out and help with physical and financial needs. In Hebrews 13:16, we are commanded to help others, to use what we have to share God’s love and relieve a burden that can keep them from moving forward. How would you feel if you were in need of food or other essentials and a Christian said to you, “Have a blessed day,” and went on their way back to where they had plenty? James 2:15-17 teaches us that we have sinned when we react this way to the needs of others. Our faith must show action to the needs of others; otherwise, God says our faith is dead!
Hebrews 13:16 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
James 2:15-17 “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
We need to pray that God would put someone in our path each day so that we can share the good news of Jesus. Pray that the Holy Spirit would prick your mind and realize everyone around you is an opportunity placed there by God. In Galatians 6:10, we are told to do good to everyone, especially those who are brothers and sisters in Christ. The first part of this verse says, “as you have opportunity.” We have opportunities every day, but we get so wrapped up in our own little world that others pass us by, and we don’t even know it.
Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
One day, we will stand before God, and He knows every time we fail to see others’ needs—the greatest need is salvation, but there are also needs for physical help and encouragement. Today, as you finish reading this, pray and ask God to open your eyes and see others as He sees them. Pray that He will equip you to reach out to someone in His name. Those are the kinds of prayers God loves to answer.
