Dead to the Gospel
By George Stroh
October 18, 2010
"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest." (Ephesians 2:1-3)
Sometimes I get discourage when I share the Gospel of salvation with people who seemingly could care less about this life changing truth. Is it because I'm not using the right words, or not proclaiming the Gospel in the right way, or with enough passion?
But then I'm reminded that the power is in the message and not the messenger; "We have this treasure in earthly vessels". The treasure is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Word of God entrusted to me and all of the Church to proclaim; "...Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17). The previous verse in Romans referring to unbelieving Jews says, "However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" (Romans 10:16).
Like Isaiah and all of the Old Testament prophets, we are to herald the Gospel and all of the truth of God's Word in season and out of season. Some will hear and believe, but most will reject the message, just as they did in Isaiah's time. Unless the Lord opens their spiritual ears, they cannot hear because they, like we all once were, are dead in their trespasses and sins. A spiritually dead person is unable to respond to even the most well spoken, charismatic and passionate Gospel presentation. You might as well be speaking to a physically dead man.
But our responsibility is to still preach the Gospel truth to everyone because; "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things.' " (Romans 10:14-15). God and His Word are honored whenever it is proclaimed, regardless of how it is received.
So we are to continue tto share the Gospel and do so as effectively and as passionately as possible remembering that God can open the ears of the spiritually dead, just like He once did for us. Even when no one seems to believe our message, we like the prophets, must continue to tell the children of wrath (the unbelievers) about God's marvelous Gospel (good news) of Jesus the Christ. And then pray that He, in His grace and mercy, will cause another spiritually dead soul to hear, believe and be saved from the wrath to come and enter into eternal life in Christ Jesus. To Him be the Glory... Great things He has done! Maranatha!
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