It is unfortunate when this mentality invades our spiritual lives. When we focus on the future, it is easy to overlook the opportunities to teach others. Take a moment to think over the past week. How many people did you teach the gospel? How many people did you meet that do not know the gospel? Opportunities are there, but do we see them?

What excuses can you give for not teaching others? Some examples are, “I am teaching others through my example,” or, “That is why we have the Bible.”

People may not come to understand the Gospel by watching the way you live your life. It is important that we set a Christian example. Matthew 5:14-16 describes the Christian as the light of the world, a light that cannot be hidden. There is a problem when Christians rely solely on their example as a curriculum to teach. I find this excuse ironic. There are several Christians who claim to teach others through their example but are not good examples. Your example should be used to emphasize what you teach. Your example can help you or hurt you when teaching others.

The Christian is a soldier involved in spiritual warfare. In Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul describes what we call the armor of God. Among the items mentioned, the word of God is described as the sword of the Spirit. If you were to talk to a soldier, he would tell you the weapon is only as effective as the soldier carrying it. The sword is nothing if no one uses it. In view of that, the word of God loses a great deal of its power when it is taught without a teacher. The Bible is our instrument used to teach others.

God does not expect extraordinary people to teach, He just expects people to teach. When the Gospel was first being taught, after Christ ascended to Heaven, Christ chose ordinary men to spread the Gospel. There was nothing spectacular about the twelve apostles. They were simple and plain men.

I fear, on judgment day, many people will stand condemned before God because they did not teach. I also fear that many people will stand condemned before God because they did not teach others. This reality should not be taken lightly.

If we pray for the opportunity to teach others, the opportunity will present itself. Be cautious that you do not get carried away merely in the search for opportunities. When you see the opportunity presenting itself, take it.