Throughout the Whole World!

To the Roman believers, the apostle Paul has said, "I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world" (Rom 1:8). What a marvelous thought!

Jesus Himself said that His Gospel was to be "a testimony unto all nations" (Matt 24:14).

Similarly, of the Thessalonians Paul writes, "For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth; so that we need not to speak anything" (1 Thess 1:8).

The Colossian church had this same kindred testimony too: "We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you... because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which is come unto you; even as it is also in all the world bearing fruit and increasing, as it doth in you also, since the day ye heard and knew the grace of God in truth" (Col 1:3, 5-6).

I love how it wasn't only the Gospel itself that was made famous throughout the whole earth, but it was the activity, the lives and the testimonies of it's adherents too (Rom 15:18-19)! Verily, their sound went out into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world (Rom 10:18). Repentance and remission were not only preached unto all nations, but heartily displayed too (Lk 24:47)... And I cannot help but believe that such action made all the difference!

Friends, it was not the doubting and unbelief of these Christian saints but rather their faith that was noised abroad (Rom 1:8). Sadly, it seems today that the faults and flaws of Christendom are more highlighted to the world than any other aspect. Perhaps we need to return to the habits of the apostles; perhaps we should better "practice what we preach"? Is our faith known to others and talked about? Does it evoke praise and thanksgiving to God? Theirs was no mere formal and lifeless faith, but a vigorous and fruitful one, which compelled even the whole world to take notice! It was a faith which transformed their characters and conducts, as the earth looked on in bewilderment. To the Roman believers, Paul goes on to say, "your obedience is come abroad to all" (Rom 16:19). Reader, a genuine and sincere heart for the Lord Jesus will always be one which captures the attention of those round about you, and will hopefully even jump as a spark from holy fire, igniting those who choose to give God His proper place. Will we likewise be God's "lighter fluid", even as the original apostles of old? The whole world is waiting! Let's make Jesus famous!