Guest Editorial: Why we must share the gospel

I remember the moment the gospel came into my life. I was 16 years old when I surrendered my life to Jesus. It was a beautiful, unforgettable moment. But the story didn’t start with me. It began with my grandmother, Carmen. She was the first person in our family to give her life to Jesus.

She was also the first to disciple my brother and me. She taught us how to pray, how to memorize Scripture and how to walk with God. Years later, those seeds bore fruit. The word of God truly transforms lives.

Since that moment of encountering the gospel, my life has been a journey of spiritual growth. But I still remember how, when I understood the gospel for the first time, I couldn’t keep it to myself. I shared it with everyone around me. I wanted the world to know about the salvation Jesus offers—and that only through him can we be saved.

Over time, however, something began to shift.

It’s easy to become comfortable just going to church, enjoying fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. And while that community is beautiful and biblical, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). We can sometimes forget that there are still people out there who are lost, broken and heading toward eternity without Jesus.

It’s not that we stop caring—but comfort can distract us from the mission. The world outside our church walls is full of people who need hope, healing and truth. And we carry the only message that can truly save.

I’ve read articles and books about why many believers don’t share their faith. Some common reasons are fear, not knowing what to say, or feeling unqualified. But one reason that deeply impacted me was this: a lack of empathy within our churches.

All of these are real and valid challenges. But they lead me to ask: What gospel have we truly believed?

Have we embraced the soft, convenient version that society presents—or the gospel of the Bible that tells us we were once lost, headed to hell, and rescued only by the grace of God through Jesus Christ?

That’s why I want to share three biblical reasons why we must share the gospel:

1. Because we were headed for hell without Jesus.

Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Without Christ’s redemptive grace, you and I had a destination: eternal separation from God. If we truly believe that Jesus saved us from both physical and spiritual death, shouldn’t that fill us with urgency and compassion?

There are billions of people walking toward eternity without Christ. They need someone to tell them that there’s a God who saves, who transforms, who sets free.

2. Because it’s a command, not a suggestion.

Matthew 28:19–20: “Go therefore and 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.” 

This is not a task given only to pastors, missionaries or evangelists. It is a mandate for every follower of Jesus.

Sharing the gospel is not optional. It’s a call to obedience, love and bold faith—empowered by the Holy Spirit. We were not saved to keep the good news to ourselves. Jesus saved us so we would point others to him.

3. Because the harvest is plentiful.

Carlos is a man from Cuba. He was born and raised in a family and culture where God was distant and faith was almost nonexistent. Growing up under a communist regime, his dreams were few and life was marked by struggle, sin and deep emotional pain. At one point, he even felt like ending his life.

Eventually, Carlos made it to the United States, where someone invited him to church. He wanted to seek God but didn’t know how. Sadly, the church he first attended led him not to Jesus, but to religious rituals, saints and traditions that distracted him from the gospel. He learned more about religious figures than about the savior.

Then, one day, someone invited him to a different kind of church. With hope in his heart, Carlos went and everything changed. Someone took the time to guide him and introduce him to Jesus.

“When I used to read the Bible, I didn’t understand anything. It frustrated me. I would give up and read books about saints instead. But now, every Sunday I listen at church, and I understand. I understand the word [of God], and I feel loved. That makes me happy. Jesus forgave me and saved me.” — Carlos

Today, Carlos shares Jesus at his workplace and he’s praying that one day his entire family will come to know Christ.

The harvest is plentiful. The laborers are few.

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37–38, ESV).

I pray that you and I can be the answer to that prayer—willing, faithful and ready to labor in his harvest.

There are people like Carlos all around us ready to receive, if only someone would speak.

Sharing the gospel isn’t just for preachers—it’s for all of us. It is the mission of everyone who claims to follow Christ.

We are responsible to share the gospel and make disciples. God is responsible for the results.

Let’s not keep silent. Let’s be bold. Let’s remember where we were before Jesus saved us and let that fuel our passion to reach others.

Because someone once did it for us.

Yamileth Gúzman Lopez is a River Ministry missionary, a graduate of Baptist University of the Américas and a member of the Baptist Standard board of directors.