The Gospel of Grace by Pete BriscoeSample

How Will They Hear?

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. —Martin Luther King Jr.

Yes, we should love as Jesus loves. But eventually we need to look people in the eye and say, “Hey, I’ve got some Good News: Jesus loves you! He wants to save you and lead you into a life of fullness and meaning.” We have to say it. Otherwise they’ll never hear it.

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Romans 10:14)

If those who haven’t heard are going to hear, someone has to tell them.

I often pray: “Lord, show me people around me who haven’t heard.”

He’s shown me at Costco. He’s shown me people groups with whom we’ve lost our voice because we’ve been so busy preaching the bad news of sin rather than the Good News of grace. He’s shown me people who’ve been burdened by teachings of legalism rather than freed by the invitation of grace.

People who haven’t heard the Good News of grace are all around us.

So where do we start? We could always start where Jesus started. After He left the crowds, Scripture says He “kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea” (Luke 4:44).

Jesus didn’t head for the prisons or the brothels. He went to the synagogues to preach to those who had most of the Old Testament memorized. Why? Because the burden of the law had primed them for the Good News of grace.

Right now, all over the world people are hearing something other than grace. They are being told that God’s acceptance is based upon their performance.

But Jesus said, “No more. I have come with Good News! I have come with grace!” It was Jesus’ most important thing. And because He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever, it’s still most important—right here, right now, through you.

The Gospel of grace. People haven’t heard and someone has to preach. So let’s use words.

Lord, show me the people around me who haven’t heard the Gospel of grace. Make me brave as I speak of Your love and acceptance. Thank you for Your Spirit who works this all through me. Amen.

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Reflection:

1. What was the essence of Jesus’ earthly ministry?
2. How do people come to know the Gospel? Are words necessary?
3. Who in your life needs to hear the Good News of God’s acceptance in Christ?