YOU ARE THE LABOURER

The Great Commission is a divine mandate that is given to us as Christians; it is a calling that transcends space and time. The necessity to share the gospel, seek out the lost, and guide them into accepting salvation is ingrained in the very fabric of our faith. It is the core of our Christian journey, not just a recommendation or a side responsibility. Jesus gives His followers a challenging assignment in Mark 16:15–18: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." This instruction is repeated in Matthew 28:18–20, when Jesus asserts His divine right and gives His disciples the mandate to baptize and disciple people from every nation how to follow Him. 

Luke 24:47–49 highlights that the gospel of repentance and forgiveness of sin must be proclaimed to all peoples, starting in Jerusalem, in His name. Our purpose is worldwide, including not only our local communities but also the furthest reaches of the planet. In Luke 10:2, Jesus emphasizes the importance and urgency of the work at hand by pleading with us to pray fervently for additional laborers to enter the harvest. We are a member of a sizable workforce that is motivated by spiritual empowerment, unified in purpose, and we are not alone in this quest. In Matthew 9:37–38, the abundant crop contrasts sharply with the scarcity of laborers. The inference is obvious: a sizable population is just waiting to be discovered and drawn into God's kingdom. 

The core of our work is captured in Isaiah 52:7, which reads, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation." We have the preparedness under our feet to share the good news of salvation and hope to a world that is in great need. Romans 10:15 emphasizes the importance of individuals who proclaim peace, stating that they are fortunate and lovely. We are more than just messengers; we are vehicles of God's grace, open channels through which His love enters other people's lives. 

We were not rescued in a vacuum as Christians. We were saved, to save others, to be redeemers, we were redeemed. The responsibility of soul-winning is not imposed upon us; rather, it is a privilege. It is our holy obligation to spread the word about the greatest gift we have been entrusted with, which is the knowledge of salvation. Every soul that is saved is a win for God's kingdom. Every life that is changed is evidence of the gospel's power. Making disciples is our mission; it involves nurturing and guiding people on their spiritual journey and assisting them in developing a closer relationship with God. It is not just about packing pews or counting conversions. 

Soul-winning is a way of life, a way of thinking, and a position of the heart that transcends the pulpit and the mission field. It involves being purposeful in our interactions with one another, perceptive to the Holy Spirit's leading, and fearless in our sharing of the gospel. Nonetheless, soul-winning is not without its difficulties. It takes bravery to leave our comfort zones, empathy to meet others where they are, and tenacity to keep going in the face of rejection and hostility. However, His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Thus, let us eagerly and passionately accept our calling to be workers in the harvest field. With steadfast confidence, let us plant the seeds of the Gospel, knowing that God will provide a plentiful harvest in His perfect time. And let us never lose sight of the fact that we are not working in isolation; the One who called us is faithful, and He who began a good work in us will carry it to completion. Let us, therefore, dear fellow laborers, take up the task of the Great Commission with hope and pleasure, knowing that as we obey, we are living out our greatest calling as Christ's representatives, proclaimers of redemption, and carriers of hope to a world in need. May we live as living examples of the Gospel's transformational power and may our work in the Lord never be in vain. Indeed.