Word In Life Study Bible
FAITH IMPACTS THE WORLD
Mark16:15-16
Jesus sent His followers into “all the world” (Mark 16:15). Clearly He had global impact in mind. But spreading Christ’s message involves more than just broadcasting a statement or set of facts. How does faith impact the world?
One way is through followers of Christ who live out the gospel and proclaim it to the world. That’s why the lifestyles and relationships of believers are so important. People are watching to see how we as Christians handle our responsibilities and resources. Is there any evidence that Christ really makes a difference in our lives?
Another way is through Christian institutions, such as local churches, parachurch organizations, and the Christian media. If you work or volunteer for one of these kinds of organizations, you have an important opportunity to touch the needs of the world with Christ’s love and power.
A third sphere of influence is through lobbying and advocacy. Here Christians attempt to influence the institutions and people that control society. This might mean something as simple as voting, or something as complex as running for office or working to enact a particular piece of legislation. In our culture, Christians have the right to participate actively in public policy decisions, and we should use that right in ways that we believe honor the Lord.
As we attempt to take Christ’s message to “all the world,” it helps to understand how our world operates. See the diagram in thje frontmatter, “Faith Impacts the World,” to find out more about how we can be salt and light in a world that needs Jesus.
Study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible, copyright 1993,1996, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible appearing at this web site are for personal use only.
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