¹⁴ How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

One activity that is central to the Christian movement is evangelism. The Gospel message is not just on option among many in the world, a competing philosophy or worldview that is simply “better” than others. The message of God’s grace through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross is not just an inspiring story. No, the message Paul preached is the truth, and all else is false. And to know the truth is to know the good news. Therefore the message trumps all other messages. Is it any wonder that evangelism is so important, so central to the Gospel?

God’s message to the world, just like it began with Abraham, was to go out through individuals. Through the patriarch, all the nations of the earth are to be blessed. God continues to bring the message of blessing through human networking, and not through direct communication from God. Consummate to using humanity, was God taking on the form of humanity. He continues to take on humanity through Christians, specifically for sending the message out to the whole world.

Notice the pattern. God sends people to preach the message. Through their preaching, others hear the message. When they hear, they believe. When they believe, they call on the Lord. Every step is needed to bring about salvation, to activate the message in people’s lives. Very simple, very straightforward.

By the term “preacher,” Paul is not necessarily thinking of the professional evangelist. Scripture makes very little of the paid Christian worker, whether a pastor, evangelist, or full-time worker. A favorite term of the apostle Paul was “servant of the Lord” without regard for a person’s financial arrangement or support. He himself often worked with his hands for his financial needs. The point is all Christians are called to be a servants of the Lord. And here, for the Christian movement to win new converts to Christ, it requires those who preach the Gospel of Christ, whether formally to large groups or informally on an individual level.

How blessed are those who share the faith with others! Quoting from Isaiah 52:7, Paul speaks of their feet being beautiful, poetically emphasizing the role of walking or going to where the lost are to share God’s message of grace.

Lord, I want my feet to be beautiful by sharing the Gospel with others.