“And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15)
Those who herald the gospel must be the most optimistic people on the face of the earth. They are the most pessimistic when it comes to what man can do; but the most optimistic when it comes to what God can do. They look past how great and deep sin is in a sinner’s life knowing that “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Rom. 5:20) They follow the charge of William Booth: “Go straight for souls, and go for the worst.”
What do we not understand about the power and mercy of God? God sent Jesus into the world on a rescue mission because we were hopelessly lost and undone, incapable of saving or changing ourselves. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners …” (1 Tim. 15) If God could miraculously change Saul of Tarsus, the “chief of sinners,” turning him into the most preeminent saint, who can’t God transform by His power and grace?
If we are believing Christ to save us from our sins, how is it that we can’t believe He can save another from their sins? Condemning another is passing a final sentence on them. It is declaring that they are who they are and have no hope of changing. God gives us no right to condemn anyone. He is the judge. He decides when another has hardened their heart against His remedy to such a degree that they are a vessel of wrath fit for destruction. From our angle, we must say, “Where there is breath, there is hope.” We must know that every sunrise is an opportunity for us and others to receive the mercies of God. He is rich in mercy and unwilling for any of us to perish. The salvation of us all depends on His goodness and longsuffering.
Join with God in faith, hope, and love. Take hold of His goodness toward you; and believe that He is just as good toward your fellowman. Become a true believer in the gospel which is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. Shod your feet with the gospel of peace.