Consider the multitude that formed the audience of Stephen in Acts 7:1 and you will understand the import of what Paul wrote in Romans 10:1-3. Note also Proverbs 19:2 and the effect of or acts arising from zeal without knowledge – Galatians 1:13, James 3:14-16, James 4:1 and Philippians 1:15.

These things are being highlighted because proclaiming the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in the face of zeal without knowledge is high risk. You can see this effect in the general response of Islam to the gospel. Stephen took that risk of preaching a sermon that the audience did not want to hear; that throughout history, the nation had rejected God’s messengers and now the Messiah. Why would he risk his life to preach about Jesus the Christ? A passion for the knowledge of the salvation that Christ brought to be made known so men can be saved as God so earnestly desires!

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NLT).

Being in alignment with God’s desire to see all men saved (1 Timothy 2:4) is what we ought to individually seek the face of the Lord for, until we begin to fully carry out His purpose. Selah.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash