Unburdened by Vance PitmanSample

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Every person needs the gospel of Jesus Christ. There’s an epidemic of lostness and unbelief all over the planet. Billions of souls, whether across the street from you or somewhere else in the world, woke up this morning with no relationship with Jesus, many without even any knowledge of Him. They’ve never experienced the saving power of the gospel.

We clearly see the need, but what is God’s plan to tell the world about the gospel? What’s God’s plan to tell your city? The answer to these questions might surprise you, but here it is: you are the plan!

Let that sink in: you are the plan. I’ve heard it also said that the plan of God is that the whole church take the whole gospel to the whole world.

The life of Christ demonstrated through God’s people leads to others’ understanding of how the gospel can change them. God’s plan is to reach people through reached people. That includes you and me. 

In the early church of Acts 2, these believers became connected in community, and that connection led to a shared mission. Notice that the mission was simply the overflow of community. You see, the only way we can accomplish God’s global mission—which He’s entrusted to us—is together. That’s why God gave this commission to His church.

Jesus forever linked our relationship with Him and our relationships with His family to His mission. Listen to His words in John 13:34–35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

According to Jesus, as the world sees our love for one another in Christian community, our love for one another becomes a testimony of our love relationship with Him. And our fellowship with one another gives evidence of our relationship with Him. That evidence is the beginning of our witness to the world.

The burden of religion falls away as we cease striving and allow Jesus to simply live His life through us. Spend time with Jesus and continue getting to know Him. His Spirit will overflow through your life and empower you to share in the mission of Jesus in ways you never could have imagined on your own. It is for freedom that Christ has set you free! (Galatians 5:10).

Are you aware of your place in God's plan to reach others with the gospel?