Into Our Hands: Preparing To Share The Gospel

One of my favorite songs is "Into Our Hands" written by Ruth Johnson Carruth. The lyrics to the chorus say, "Into our hands the gospel is given, into our hands is given the light, haste let us carry God's precious message, guiding the erring back to the right." We stand at a precipice, holding the future within our very hands. Will we seize this moment and forge a meaningful path, or will we let it slip through our grasp, leading to an empty tomorrow? The answer lies not in predicting what's to come, but in how we prepare today. And for those who seek a life of purpose and eternal hope, that preparation hinges on three foundational truths concerning Christ, His Church, and our personal relationship with Him.

In Christ Alone: The Sole Source of Salvation

The world offers countless philosophies, self-help gurus, and spiritual paths, each promising fulfillment or enlightenment. Yet, the immutable truth, declared boldly in Scripture, is that in Christ alone is there salvation. Consider the powerful words of John, recording Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman: "Jesus said to her, 'Go, call your husband, and come here.' The woman answered and said, 'I have no husband.' Jesus said to her, 'You have well said, "I have no husband," for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.'" (John 4:16, NKJV). While this verse doesn't directly speak to salvation, it sets the stage for Jesus revealing Himself as the Messiah, the source of living water that leads to eternal life, which is intricately linked to salvation.

Even more explicitly, the apostle Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaimed before the Jewish leaders: "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12, NKJV). This declaration leaves no room for ambiguity. Our hope, our forgiveness, and our eternal destiny are inextricably tied to the person and work of Jesus Christ. To ignore this truth is to walk a path that ultimately leads to spiritual barrenness.

Our Sinless Example: Following in His Footsteps

Once we grasp the profound truth of salvation through Christ, the next vital understanding is that Christ was sinless and our example. He didn't just offer a way; He embodied the way. His life on earth was a perfect demonstration of how humanity was designed to live, free from the stain of sin and completely devoted to God's will.

Peter, in his first epistle, urges believers to follow this divine pattern: "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 'Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth.'" (I Peter 2:21, NKJV).

Jesus' sinless life wasn't merely a theological concept; it was a living, breathing blueprint for righteous living. He endured suffering without complaint, faced temptation without yielding, and loved unconditionally even His enemies. His life is the ultimate proof that a life pleasing to God is not only possible but is the very calling of every believer. We are called to imitate His character, His compassion, and His unwavering obedience.

Not Our Own: A Life Surrendered to Christ

Finally, to fully embrace the future with intentionality and purpose, we must internalize the profound truth: I am not my own, but belong to Christ. This isn't a call to servitude in the negative sense, but a liberating recognition of our true identity and purpose. When we are saved by Christ, we are bought with a price – His precious blood.

While the provided reference, 1 Samuel 30:13, in its immediate context, refers to David finding an Egyptian servant who had been abandoned by his master, the principle of belonging to another can be drawn metaphorically to our relationship with Christ. Just as a servant belonged to their master in that cultural context, so too do we, as redeemed individuals, now belong to our Lord and Savior.

A more direct New Testament reference for this concept can be found in I Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV): "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." This understanding transforms our perspective on daily choices. Man is constantly yielding to one thing or another – to desires, to cultural pressures, to personal ambitions. Each day we are either choosing to follow Christ or refusing to do so. When we acknowledge that we belong to Him, our decisions shift from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness. Our time, our talents, our resources, and our very lives become instruments for His glory, not our own.

Preparing Today for Tomorrow

No one can predict the future with certainty, but everyone can adequately prepare for whatever the future might bring. For it is today that preparation is made for tomorrow. Will our future be empty, or will it be filled with the abundant life and eternal hope found in Christ? Let us not squander the present moment, for it is the fertile ground upon which our eternal future is sown. Let us, with intentionality and unwavering faith, embrace the life Christ has called us to, confident that in Him, our future is secure and brimming with purpose. Let's share the gospel with the world!

You are loved.

Ray Reynolds, PhD

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