Why I go

I have been asked many times over the last 2 months why I would even think about skipping a semester of college to go on the World Race. 

 

My answer is simple, God asked me to. 

 

But the answer goes much deeper than this. First, I believe Jesus is who He said He is, and that He will do what He said He would do. Jesus said that He is the Messiah, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus came as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of mankind, committed past, present and future (1 John 2:2). Jesus also promised us eternal life in perfect harmony with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. There will be a day of no more pain, no more tears and sin will be no more (Revelation 21:4). Jesus said that salvation is only for those who put their faith in Him and repent (turn from) their sin (2 Chronicles 7:14). He also says there is hell for those who do not put their faith and hope in Him and turn from their sin (Romans 2:5). The bible says that we are all children of wrath, following the course of this would and turning our backs on God (Ephesians 2). Not one of us is blameless in the sight of God. We all have turned against God. The bible also says that the wages of sin is death. This is why Jesus came, to bring us who have rebelled against God back into harmony with Him. Jesus came and lived a holy, sinless life, and was crucified. When Jesus was crucified, sin for all of mankind was poured out on Him. All of Gods wrath was poured out on Jesus for us (Isaiah 53:6). God turned His back on His only son, Jesus, for us (Matthew 27:46). On the third day, Jesus rose again and defeated sin and death forever. Jesus took every sin that I committed and will ever commit, and hung them on the cross with Him. 

 

When I accept His gift for me before God and turn from my sin, I am (and you also can be) made righteous before God. There is nothing now that I could ever do to make Him take that gift of righteousness away from me. This promise is why we say that Christianity is not based on works. We could never work our way into heaven and make ourselves righteous before God. This is why I go; If I truly believe what I just said, how bad would it be for me not to tell people about Jesus? How bad would I have to hate someone to not tell them about this gift that God gave us in Jesus? This is the reason I go: to share the gospel with those who may have never heard before. 

 

If you’ve ever lost a loved one, you probably remember the last thing they said before they died. In fact, their last words may very well have been the most important words they ever spoke to you. Now, consider this: The last words Jesus spoke while He was on earth, before He ascended back into heaven, was a command to “make disciples of all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19). Those are piercing and unforgettable words, and those same words are another reason why I go. 

 

Jesus commands us to go and make disciples. Jesus didn’t give us an option when He said this. We don’t have the option of taking the parts of the bible that we agree with and throwing out the parts we don’t. Talking about Jesus with unbelievers can be nerve-racking and uncomfortable. But, if we truly want to know Jesus and walk in harmony with Him, we will do what He has commanded us to, despite our discomfort. Jesus knew it would be uncomfortable and difficult. That is why He sent us the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that it was to our advantage that He would leave so that the Holy Spirit would come(John 16:7). How crazy does this sound? People had waited for thousands of years for The Messiah, then watched Him heal the sick, cast out demons, and calm the wind and waves with a single word. This Jesus rose from the grave! How great is the Holy Spirit if Jesus said that it is to OUR ADVANTAGE that He goes? Wow! 

 

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would be our helper, and that He would lead us(John 14:26). He even prays on our behalf! He is SO good! When we are saved, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, what another great gift! 

 

The final reason why I go: to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). Jesus has given me an eternal mindset. Let us be a people that sets our eyes on things above, as described in Colossians 3. Worldly things will not matter when we die. Our relationship to God, and what we did for Him will be the only thing that matters. I don’t want to be a person that wasted my entire life chasing worldly pleasures. Life is so much bigger than that! I want to live a life for the sake of others. I want to leave an eternal impact on the lives of those whom God has placed around me. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18!

 

This may be offensive to some, but at the end of the day, Jesus is the only thing that matters. Life is truly a vapor. We’re here for a blink, then we stand before the throne of the Almighty God and will give an account for that we did on earth. Our life is nothing, but Christ is all so conduct yourselves worthy of His righteous call. 

 

I’ve counted the cost, I am ready to give everything I have for the sake of Christ, as it is written in Luke 14. 

 

So here we go. 

Into the mystery. 

 

Here I am Lord, send me wherever you choose. 

I’ll be your hands and feet.