Sharing the Gospel to Awaken More Faith

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “The just and upright shall live by faith.”’ (Romans 1:16-17, AMP)

This past weekend, Sam and I went on a date. The plan was to do a workshop at a glass blowing studio, have dinner, and maybe drive around together. Saturday morning, Sam said, “There’s a rally happening tonight in Charlie Kirk’s name. Would you go pass out gospel tracts with me?”

At first I was hesitant. This did not fit in with my plans to spend time together; it didn’t sound like the ideal date night I had been looking forward to. Then I caught myself thinking: isn’t this the kind of man I prayed for? The kind of man who went out of his way to share Jesus with others? These were the days I dreamed to have with my husband: to do ministry side by side and to serve God together.

So we printed 100 gospel tracts at the local copy shop and stood on a street corner in our town that night and handed them out, talking to anyone that wanted to have a larger conversation. 

Like him or not, Charlie Kirk’s death has created a lot of opportunities to talk about the Gospel. It’s also created much needed reminders for the Church about the world we live in– how evil it can be, how only Christ can save it, and how important it is for Christians to share the Gospel unashamedly and to whoever will listen.

Everyone needs to hear the Gospel. Even those who think they know it. Because the Gospel reveals God’s righteousness. It calls us to repentance, it strengthens our faith, it convicts us of sin, reforms our incorrect beliefs, and inspires a further spread of the Gospel. In the first chapter of Romans, Paul shows us that when God’s righteousness is revealed through the sharing of the Gospel, both in the leading of others to faith and the springing forth of it in others. Sharing the Gospel awakens faith– even unto death.

That’s why Charlie Kirk’s faith has ignited more faith in the Church that remains. And that’s not to say that Charlie Kirk was a perfect man. He was deeply imperfect, just like any one of us. His arguments could be arrogant. His views could be divisive and there were times where his representation of Christ was flawed. But he also never claimed to be some great theologian. His main goal was not to win souls, it was to be an activist for conservative political views. 

And so it is also important for Christians to remember that politically conservative does not equate to a follower of Christ. Claiming Christianity in the public, political sphere could mean many things, so we must not be hasty to assume that any politician claiming they are a Christian are actually living God-honoring, Gospel-stewarding lives.

And that is why, friends, it is important now more than ever that we are not ashamed to share the Gospel. Because we are also deeply flawed sinners with no hope to save ourselves except for the Savior of the world. We cannot light the way for others if we refuse to go out into the world and share it or wait for someone else to do it– not just to unbelievers, but also to those who say they believe yet only believe in a shallow, untested Gospel.

The just and the upright live by faith, and that faith awakens more faith. The rally Sam and I passed out tracts at was put on by another church in town, but we gave them the Gospel anyway. Because you don’t know who is a young believer that needs sound doctrine. You never know who came to the rally simply because they were frightened by the world they live in and were searching for an answer in Christ. And since the rally was downtown on a late summer evening, held on a busy street corner, you just never know who was walking to a restaurant or the movie theater and just passing through. 

Either way, 100 people left with the Gospel in their hands, and in simply doing that, our faith was strengthened as a married couple.

Don’t be ashamed of the Gospel by which you are saved. Recognize it for the gift that it is and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Charlie Kirk may not be remembered among the great martyrs in history that dedicated their lives to sharing the good news of the gospel, but He did believe that same Gospel and was defending it under that same tent just moments before he died:

"It’s not just intrabiblical evidence, but extrabiblical evidence that Jesus Christ was a real person. He lived a perfect life, he was crucified, died and rose on the third day, and he is Lord and God over all.”

May we all be emboldened to share that Jesus is Lord and God over all. Let’s not shrink back from telling others about God, His sovereignty, and His unending goodness to us. That Gospel is indeed worth dying for, and the sharing of it awakens faith in others, strengthens faith in us, and springs forth the building of His Kingdom here on earth.