It is astounding to see that selling the Gospel has become big business around the world. There is no end to “Christian merchandise.” While this may have contributed to the spreading of the Gospel; Jesus own words can not be ignored when he warned the money changers at the temple.
John 2:16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
There is a fine line between taking care of the workers of the Gospel and turning Christ into big business. This is not to say that publishing houses of Bibles and Inspirational materials should not make a profit; they should in order to stay in business. We are blessed in this time in history when we can find the exact Bible that meets our needs (with each year, my need for larger type print increases). The many inspired writers bless our lives with their life application and expounding of God’s WORD. We need the WORD of God. It is through the WORD that we receive faith to continue in the Good News, the Gospel; which Christ commissioned His followers to spread throughout the world.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
As we internalize the WORD of God, we can live by it more closely and build a real and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ. Living in tune with God’s WORD and embracing His holiness is the most effective way to convince others to give their lives to Jesus as well. People need to see us living by that which we preach.
Mark 16:15-18 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Jesus commanded his disciples to go and spread the Gospel; but He also told them not to take anything with them; no money, no clothes and no provisions. They were to have faith that God would provide and even speak through them.
Mark 6:8 And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:
Both the Old and New Testament teaches that a servant is worthy of his hire; and that we are to feed and take care of even our beasts of burden; how much more the servants of the Lord who work for us and labor after our souls?
1 Timothy 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
God has chosen us to carry His message of the Gospel today. Down through the ages, God has chosen individuals for His service. Every Christian has been called to the work of the Gospel. God has called and chosen us today.
John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
There is a blessing to those who serve God in the Gospel and those faithful to the end; who never give up or quit.
Luke 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
The Armor of God: SHOES OF THE GOSPEL (Publish Peace)
Getting back to the armor of God in Ephesians 6, we see in verse 6 that another piece of the armor is what we put on our feet. Today, our soldiers need combat boots. This piece of armor has changed over the ages and with each war and battle. The leather combat boot of World War II was not very practical in the Viet Nam War, where a jungle boot made of a special material held up better to constantly getting wet. It needed to dry quickly to prevent jungle rot of the feet. For the Christian warrior, we need the shoes of the Gospel. That means that we need to be preparing and actively being a part of the work of the church. Everyone called to Christ has a responsibility to share the Gospel with everyone who crosses our path. By being immersed in the work of the Gospel, we are protected and able to fight against the Devil.
Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
A dear friend of mine and District Superintendent of Wisconsin, Bro. John Putnam, preached a sermon within the past twelve months; “My you have beautiful feet!” Most people would not consider feet to be beautiful. We cover them up with shoes. There is however the opposite view; that feet are beautiful and in recent years there seems to be no end to women’s sandals that draw great attention to feet; decking them in silver and gold on spikes that come close to stilts. God’s WORD says that the real beauty of feet in the Kingdom (upon the mountain) are feet that bring “good tiding; that publish peace and salvation,” The Gospel.
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
For the past ten years, diabetic complications with my feet have given me a new appreciation for my feet. Facing amputation more than twice, of each foot, through the battle of diabetic foot ulcers; God has gracious given me the victory through five major bone infections and three surgeries. Praise the Lord; thank you Jesus! We all need our feet; and no better way to have them blessed, than to be actively being about our Father’s business.
Prayer: Father thank you for my feet. Thank you for giving me a burden to seek and save that which is lost; to carry your Good News of salvation to all who cross my path. Lead me into the fields of harvest for your sake. Bless my participation in spreading the Gospel to all of the world; in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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