Want a Better World?

Would you like to see an end to terrorism, bloodshed, war, and chaos? Would you like to live in a world where everyone treats others with kindness? Can you imagine never having to turn on the news to view something ugly?

It’s going to happen! Not now, but it will. (More about this later.)

But, for now, there’s one way you can make a better world. If you’re a born again Christian, you can begin to change the world.

How?

Share the gospel with everyone you know. So that we understand what the gospel is, the Apostle Paul gives us a perfect three-point outline: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that (1) Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that (2) he was buried, and that (3) he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). All we need to do is share those three points!

1. Jesus died for our sins.
2. Jesus was buried.
3. Jesus rose again.

When a person believes the gospel in His heart, turns from his sin, and cries out to the Lord for salvation,* he is saved. When a person’s heart changes, everything about him changes. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Even terrorists?

Yes. Islamic terror is all about false teachings and false ideology. It’s also about the false promise of having many virgins and unlimited pleasures in Paradise for the warrior who dies in jihad. Non-Islamic terrorists are motivated by different false teachings and goals, many of them political. Every terrorist does what he does because he actually believes in his cause.

If he would listen to the gospel and turn from his wicked ways, he would be a new person. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die (Ezekiel 18:21). Jesus said, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15).

The problem, as I see it, is that Christians don’t feel the urgency to spread the gospel. They also might feel afraid to reach certain people groups. Another difficulty is that many countries of the world are closed to traditional missions. But, that doesn’t mean no one can go and these people can’t be reached. And, more than anything, it doesn’t mean you can’t reach your neighbors where you live!

I can hardly believe that people don’t know their neighbors. Why? There are lots of reasons. We live such busy lives. But God put us on the earth with a purpose: glorify God. We actually glorify Him when we share the gospel of salvation with others. It isn’t an option; it’s a command. And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).

So, how can a normal woman, living a normal life (whatever that is!) “preach” the gospel? Each person has a different personality and varying abilities. We’re in different jobs and places. The important thing is to look for ways to reach your world for Christ. I’m going to float some ideas out there, but you can ask God what you can do. You might be surprised at how He leads!

Ideas for women to spread the gospel:

1. Give gospel tracts to people you actually engage in conversation: clerks, friends, etc.
2. Leave gospel tracts—just one—in public places: hotel rooms, restrooms, etc.
3. Get to know people. Start with your neighbors, but this can broaden into a neighborhood Bible study. You can join a club, gym, or even an online group that caters to people in your interests. I think online forums are great places for witness and networking.
4. Write. Do you have a novel in you—waiting to be written? Do you blog? Are you a poet? Try being a witness through your writing.
5. Volunteer. Can you work in a hospice, with a pregnancy center, or as a counselor? What can you do to help in your church? (Ask your pastor where there are needs.) Sunday school teachers can impact children for God.
6. Teach. Can you teach English as a second language? Can you offer tutoring? Are you a teacher in a school?
7. Think outside the box. This begins with prayer. Ask God for ways to meet and impact unsaved people. He will answer.

I am not so naïve as to think that everyone you witness to will respond with genuine faith and repentance. But, I also don't think that every Christian is actively looking for ways to share Christ. If your neighbor accepts Christ, he will be a new neighbor. If a child knows the Lord, he will be a different child. If your friend gets to know Jesus, she’ll not only be on her way to heaven, but you’ll have someone to disciple and mentor. You’ll have sweet fellowship with her. If whole Christian communities were actively sharing the gospel—not “love” or watered down messages—we’d see a revival. A revival means changed towns and ultimately a changed world.

Do I believe that will happen? I don’t know. Personally, I think Bible prophecy is being fulfilled under our noses, and I’m not sure if that includes another Great Awakening—but it might. Even if not, we are debtors** to the world around us. We must spread the Good News of the gospel.

So, when will there be peace on earth and an ideal kingdom? Read Revelation 20:1-6. Jesus will rule for a thousand years. It might be as close as seven years away!

Jesus said, I must work the works of him that sent me,

while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work (John 9:4).

Do you want a better world? Reach out to others, sharing the gospel of Christ! The time is short, and the need is great.

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* For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

** The idea of debtors is from Romans 1:14, where Paul says he’s a debtor to the world.