Wake Up from Spiritual Slumber: The Urgency of Sharing the Gospel

Satan Will Sing You to Sleep

Have you ever wondered why it's so easy to drift away from God? Why is it that we can be so apathetic about sharing the good news of Jesus with others? These are questions that I recently had to confront when I met a remarkable man during my travels in the Middle East. This man, along with his wife, is leading a rapidly growing movement of Muslims turning to Christ in a very restrictive part of the Islamic world. And it was through my conversations with him that I realized something disturbing about myself: I wasn't doing enough to share the gospel because, deep down, I didn't truly care about the eternal state of those around me.

Confronted with the Truth

The man's assertion hit me like a punch to the gut. He plainly told me, "You don't tell people about Jesus, because you don't care about their eternal state." At first, I was taken aback, but as the truth sank in, I couldn't deny it. I wasn't prioritizing evangelism because I lacked a genuine concern for the salvation of others. It was a harsh reality to face, but one that I desperately needed to confront.

The Urgency of the Gospel

As I reflected on my lack of urgency in sharing the gospel, I realized that I had allowed myself to become complacent. I had fallen into the trap of believing that everyone would eventually figure it out on their own, or that it was someone else's job to proclaim the good news. But the Bible tells us a different story.

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives us the Great Commission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." This command is not optional; it is a call to action for every follower of Christ. We have been entrusted with the message of salvation, and it is our duty to share it with the world.

Furthermore, in 2 Corinthians 5:20, the apostle Paul refers to believers as "ambassadors for Christ." Just as an ambassador represents their country in a foreign land, we are called to represent Christ and His kingdom to those who do not yet know Him. This is not a passive role; it requires actively engaging with others and proclaiming the truth of the gospel.

Confronting the Enemy

So why do we often find ourselves failing to fulfill this mission? The answer lies in the tactics of our enemy, Satan. As the father of lies (John 8:44), Satan seeks to deceive and distract us from the truth. He knows that if he can lull us into spiritual apathy, we will be ineffective in sharing the gospel and advancing the kingdom of God.

Imagine a scenario where a group of people are trapped in a deep sleep, unaware of the imminent danger around them. They are oblivious to the fact that a fire is raging outside their door, threatening to consume them. In this situation, a responsible person would do everything in their power to wake the sleeping individuals and lead them to safety. They would shout, shake, and do whatever it takes to rouse them from their slumber.

Similarly, Satan seeks to sing us to sleep with the lullabies of comfort, complacency, and self-centeredness. He whispers in our ears, telling us that someone else will take care of it, that we have more important things to do, or that we shouldn't rock the boat. And if we listen to his lies, we will remain spiritually asleep while the world around us burns.

Awakening from Slumber

But there is hope. The Bible tells us that the word of God is like a double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). It has the power to pierce through the lies of the enemy and awaken our souls to the truth. When we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we are reminded of the urgency of the gospel and the incredible privilege we have been given to share it.

Additionally, prayer is a powerful weapon in our battle against spiritual apathy. When we spend time in communion with God, He aligns our hearts with His, giving us a burden for the lost and a passion to see them come to know Him. As we pray for opportunities to share the gospel and for the salvation of those around us, God works in miraculous ways to open doors and soften hearts.

Finally, we must remember the ultimate consequence of failing to share the gospel. In Matthew 25:46, Jesus speaks of the eternal destinies of the righteous and the wicked. He says, "And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." The stakes are high, and the reality of heaven and hell should compel us to action.

The Call to Action

As followers of Christ, we must not allow ourselves to be lulled into spiritual slumber. We must shake off the apathy and complacency that Satan tries to instill in us and actively engage in sharing the gospel. We must care deeply about the eternal state of those around us and be willing to step out of our comfort zones to proclaim the truth.

Let us be like the responsible person who wakes the sleeping individuals and leads them to safety. Let us be bold in our proclamation of the gospel, knowing that the eternal destinies of those we encounter hang in the balance. And let us rely on the power of God's Word and prayer to equip us for this mission.

Conclusion

As I continue to reflect on my encounter with the remarkable man in the Middle East, I am reminded of the eternal significance of the gospel. I am challenged to examine my own heart and confront any apathy or complacency that may be hindering me from sharing the good news. May we all be awakened to the urgency of the gospel and live with a deep concern for the eternal state of those around us.

Will you join me in this mission? Will you be a light in the darkness, proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ to a world in desperate need of salvation? The choice is yours. Let us not be lulled to sleep by the lies of the enemy, but instead, let us rise up and fulfill the Great Commission that Jesus has entrusted to us.