If you could talk with the missionaries your church supports, I suspect you’d come away with a different view. Not only would they tell you about the work they do in education and medicine, but they’d also tell you about the way Christ has radically changed the lives of people who had never heard of Him.

The real question, you see, is this: Who was Jesus Christ? Was He just another religious teacher who thought He had some new spiritual insights to share? Or was He more than this? The Bible’s answer is clear: Jesus Christ was unique, because He alone was God in human flesh. The Bible puts it this way: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). This sets Jesus apart from every other religious teacher in history.

Why is this important? The reason is because only a divine Savior could save us from our sins and offer us the gift of eternal life. Our greatest need is forgiveness, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). And that is what Christ offers us, for He died on the cross to pay the full penalty for our sins.

Christ’s command has never been withdrawn: “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” (Mark 16:15). If you have never asked Christ to come into your life, do so today. Then thank God for those He has sent to tell others about Christ–and ask Him to make you a missionary to those around you.