That seed is the gospel. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth...” (Romans 1:16). As clear as it gets, we should understand what he gospel is all about. Understand and let that understanding grow. I should emphasize that it should grow, or most people thought that gospel is a one-time query that should be answered with a simple "yes" and viola! You are saved. It's definitely not like that. The seed should grow, or to put it the other way, a seed grows into a tree and produces fruits of different quantity is a tree indeed.
Now, what really
is the gospel? What is the seed? First, I should clarify one thing – that one
can preach the gospel rather short, while one can preach it undeniably long.
Let’s just say that the manner on how you present the gospel to different kinds
of people is the reason. Just like how intellectually Jesus presented the good
news to Nicodemus, and how comforting Jesus shared the good news to the
Samaritan woman, and also how, with almost no talking, Jesus saved the man who
was crucified along Him. Now, don’t be confused your task. As Christians, our
task is to share the gospel, whether you deliver it eloquently, shyly, or
intellectually, the Holy Spirit will always be in charged with the regeneration
of a person. It’s not us who converts people. We just can’t. It’s the Holy
Spirit who has the power of regenerating people.
But we should not
get it wrong. We should still put lot of effort in sharing the gospel. We are
tasked to talk to different kinds of people, different religious backgrounds,
so there must be a certain level of wisdom we should acquire and which, I
believe, God would graciously provide. Be emotional if needed, be authoritative
if needed, be intellectual if needed, be tactful if needed, but don’t ever
change God’s Word for whatever reason or purpose. So don’t give false assurance
to people, remember that your job is not to give assurance to people, it’s the
Holy Spirit’s.
Now, how should I
present the gospel to you, my dear readers? This is what I’m talking about. I
don’t know you. I can’t even see you, but still, I should efficiently present
the gospel. For every good speaker should know his audience. Not that I’m
saying I’m a good speaker though.
I guess I’ll
settle with the summed up presentation of the gospel but still focusing on it’s
very foundation – JESUS. Whether Nicodemus, the disciples, Samaritan woman, the
good news always revolves in Jesus. Understanding his earthly ministry is the
basis of the gospel. Saving the lost through His death on the cross and He is
the King of the kingdom of God and we are the obedient followers. Understanding
His person is the credibility of the gospel. Jesus, being 100% God and 100%
man, is the only qualified being to save us from the grips of sin. Believe
those facts, and live according to those facts. For the glory of God is
ultimately revealed through Jesus’ death on the cross.
To end it, I want
you to review the gospel, to remember our role in the advancement of the gospel
and always ask yourself “What is the good fruit and what is the bad fruit?”
