Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
This passage of scripture teaches us the sacred duty which devolves upon the shoulders of everyone who has accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. Witnessing or personal outreach to others is not an option, it is a command that we've received from God, and so each one is to reach at least one person over the course of our experience with Christ. When we realize the goodness of God in our behalf, then we are obliged to tell others of what He has done for us, and thereby spread the good news of salvation to friends, families, co-workers, and peers. This mandate was given by Christ on the occasion when a demon possessed man was liberated by The Lord Himself. Let's read:
Mark 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. 18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
This mandate as given by Christ represents the personal responsibility we all have as Christians to spread the Good news of salvation with a dying world, for the gospel was given to us as a precious legacy to be shared with everyone who is in need. Furthermore, God's promise to be with us was given in the context of the fulfillment of the great commission, and therefore we have both a sacred duty and a solemn promise to energize and motivate us in doing our part in our neck of the woods. Christ did not call us to be the favorite at school, at work, or at play: He called us to fulfill a specific purpose of teaching all nations to observe what He has commanded, resulting in their baptism. When this great commission is taken personally, and implemented by the power of The Holy Ghost, then conversions in the lives of those we love and interact with, will be seen with a rapidity that will surprise us, and we will be further energized to win even more souls for Christ.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to take up the mantle of salvation to give to others, so that each one can reach at least one. Let's read:
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
May God grant us His grace and power today so that the great commission may be carried out in our lives. "God bless!