The Great Mystery of the Ages: Worth Teaching at Any Cost
by Tim Nichols

(Colossians 1:24-29)

    Some tasks are simply not worth the trouble and expense required to accomplish them. Before engaging in any major jobs most of us sit down and try to determine just what it will take to get it done. Many have risked their lives and some have lost their lives in attempts to reach hazardous mountain peaks for no other reason than to be able to say that they have done the deed. Others sit back and wonder why anyone would do such a thing. Some are at the other extreme. They sit with folded hands watching the world go by; taking no risks and accomplishing nothing of value. Most of us are somewhere between these two extremes. We are willing to take risks when the purpose is clear and the goal is worthy.

    The proclamation of the gospel is the task of every Christian. No soldier has ever had clearer orders than those given to recruits in God's army. He has a "secret" that has been made available to mankind for nearly two thousand years! All who have learned it are obliged to pass it along to everyone who has not. That secret is that Jesus Christ is man's only hope for eternal life. That is your task, Christian. Tell the secret. Is this a task that is worth the trouble and expense? Are you willing to risk the possible rejection of friends, neighbors, and family by telling them the only way that they can hope to go to heaven? Are you inclined to devote some of your time, energy, and income to this assignment? Only you can answer these questions but your duty to answer them with a clear and determined "Yes" is clear.

    Making this "secret" a reality cost Jesus Christ a great deal of suffering. He was willing to suffer and die on the cross to accomplish His part. Delivering the message to dying humanity has cost countless men untold suffering. The apostle Paul is one shinning example of one who was willing to do and suffer whatever it took to deliver the message to men who are lost without it. He gladly endured hardship, ridicule, and pain to simply tell men of the riches that God wants to give them. His purpose was clear and his goal was worthy.

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily (Col. 1:24-29).

    There is little danger of your being beaten, imprisoned, killed, or even ridiculed for inviting your friends and neighbors to learn of this mystery. The worst probable consequence for your doing so does not really compare with what others have had to endure. Is the little risk that you must take worth the goal of helping another find the way to heaven? The answer lies in your own action or inaction.

This item originally appeared at My Two Cents Worth