“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

These final words of Jesus were a beckoning call to his disciples to carry the “good news” to everyone they came in contact with as well as going out beyond their comfort zone. These words penetrated deeply into their hearts and, thanks to God, they fulfilled that commission to the best of their abilities.

But it didn’t stop there. Jesus’ words ring true today just as they did to his disciples back then. We, too, are commissioned to reach out to others, to go beyond our comfort zone and to see that every ear has had the opportunity to hear of the saving grace.

The question then arises: Are we doing all we can to reach others? Some might say, “I’m not capable of speaking the words needed to bring someone to Christ.” They are right! But Christ invokes the Holy Spirit to be involved and, despite our inadequacies, the Holy Spirit is capable of using us in a mighty way.

Others might say: “Look at how undeserving I am of receiving that grace. How could God possibly use me as an example to others?” That’s just the point. Christ did not come to save saints, he came to save sinners and we are all simultaneously both saints and sinners. If Christ can save me, he can, and will, save any of us who call upon his mercy.

Our job is to take that message to the world. God really doesn’t need our help to spread his word, but for some reason he wants our help to accomplish his goal of salvation for all people.

So, are we doing all we can, in every way and every day, to spread his gospel to the ends of the earth? I pray every day that an opportunity will arise to allow me to share my faith. I pray that you, too, may seek and find that opportunity as well.

Lord, use us in a might way!

Wayne Knerr
Woodstown, N.J.
Knerr is president of the South Jersey Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Farmers Internationa