Listen to Devotion

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

Imagine discovering the cure for a deadly disease, something that could save countless lives. Would you keep such vital information to yourself?

Of course not! You would share it with everyone who needed it. You would eagerly spread the word so that people around the world could benefit from it. In the same way, the news about Jesus is meant to be shared far and wide. If people don’t hear about him, they cannot receive the life he offers.

The apostle Paul makes this clear: people cannot believe in Jesus if they have never heard of him, and they cannot hear unless someone tells them. That “someone” is every believer. That “someone” is you. God has placed each of us right where we are, surrounded by people who need hope—friends, family, coworkers, and classmates. Some are hurting, some are searching, and some simply don’t know.

Do not hesitate! Do not worry whether people will listen. Do not wonder if you will say the wrong thing. The power to change hearts doesn’t come from our words. It is in God’s Word. The same gospel that brought us to faith can bring others to faith as well. Our role is not to convince or convert. We are simply ambassadors of the good news.

Jesus has already done the hard part for us. He lived a perfect life, bore the punishment for our sins, and rose again to offer eternal life. Now, he sends us out—not as salespeople, but as joyful messengers of hope.

This Advent, the world is aching for good news. People can’t believe in the Savior they’ve never heard about. You may be the one God uses to help them hear. Let’s not keep it to ourselves.

Let’s not keep this life-giving message to ourselves.

Lord, give me a heart that’s eager to share your good news. Open doors and open ears so that others may hear and believe in you. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.