Evangelism involves hard work and suffering (2 Timothy 1:8; 2:3-7; 4:5). Why go to so much trouble when many others who claim to be Christians stay comfortably silent? The true disciple looks beyond personal comfort and sees the Savior whose suffering was far greater (Hebrews 12:2-4). Why was our Lord willing to suffer? Nails could not hold Jesus to the cross. Rather, His love for us kept Him there, enduring the punishment that should have been ours. We learn that same sacrificial love for others (1 John 3:16-18).
Do we truly believe the Gospel? Then we share this truth with Paul:
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
Jesus’ love is very personal: He loved me! He gave Himself for me! Like us, Paul remembers with shame his sinful life. Instead of giving Paul what he deserved, the loving Lord rescued him. Then He went a giant step further. He “entrusted” Paul to deliver “the Gospel of the glory of the blessed God” (1 Timothy 1:11). What can Paul—the chief of sinners—feel, except amazement and gratitude? “I thank Him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me to His service” (1 Timothy 1:12).