Joseph Otsibah 
Silence, they say, is power.
But the power of the Gospel shut up in our bones was never meant to stay silent. If the world can shout its darkness boldly, why should the bearers of light whisper quietly? “Go and tell.” It’s not an appeal for volunteers, it’s a mandate!! We have been given a commission, not a submission to fear, to boldly proclaim the good news to all creation. For where there is omission, souls perish. “Go and tell” is not just a week’s slogan, but a lifelong divine duty, for every believer to call others into God’s saving grace. We do not go in our own strength, but in the power of the Spirit, spreading His light until He comes.
A charge to keep I have, not to be charged for murder. We may not pierce hearts with weapons, yet our silence does when it denies others the life found in Christ. Every moment we delay, a soul drifts away. Ezekiel warned, “Their blood will be required at your hands.” We speak not of ourselves but of a kingdom whose governor is Christ, who welcomes, reconciles, and transforms sinners into His image. What greater news could there be? These are free gifts of grace, offered by a God who loved us first. So, if we do not tell them, who will? If we do not go now, when?
The Great Commission is a cornerstone of Christian discipleship and evangelism. Jesus’ command to make disciples, baptize, and teach is not limited to a selected few but it is a call to action for all believers. As followers of Christ, we are empowered by His authority and presence to spread the gospel to people of all nations. This commission is both a privilege and a responsibility, calling us to be witnesses of Jesus’ love, mercy, and redemption. By making disciples and teaching them to obey Jesus’ commands, we participate in God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
The Great Commission reminds us that our faith is not meant to be lived in isolation but shared with others, pointing them to the hope and transformation found in Jesus Christ. As we fulfill this commission, we experience the joy of partnering with God in His mission.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). This verse rings a great bell in the ears of believers. Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour, when He spoke about the Holy Spirit coming upon us, did not just leave it there but went on to say that we will be witnesses meaning we will proclaim Him to the world. That was the very beginning of the “Go and tell” agenda by the Author of Salvation Himself. There were people who went and told; by walking long distances to places that opposed their mission but still persevered. Paul talked about the ordeals he faced in 2 Corinthians 11:24 (“Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one…”) since the Holy Spirit empowered them, they were able to face all these head on.
There are people suffering out there and their “safe refuge” is drinking alcohol, doing drugs, turning to idols and when they got engrossed by life’s harsh events, they end up taking their lives. Meanwhile there is a Saviour they can and must run to who they can confide in because He is our ever-present help but unfortunately, they do not know about Him. “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15). How devastating this is!
There are many unbelievers who have probably never heard the truth of Christ and are under the influence of some other ideologies. Who will reach out to these people if not we who are empowered by the Spirit of God.
We are ambassadors of Christ. We represent Him. Do we represent someone behind closed doors? No. It is in the open where people will see and emulate, where people will see and come Christ. The word of God, which is life, must be told. God is really interested in the “Go and tell” agenda. He really is. He wants all of us to come to the saving knowledge of Christ.
What happens when we Don’t “Go and Tell”?
Silence might feel safe but in The Kingdom of God, it can be deadly. When we keep quiet about Jesus, we are not just avoiding awkward moments, we are holding back the very message that saves lives for eternity. John 3:36 tells us, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects The Son will not see life for God’s wrath remains on them.
That means there is no middle ground, people either find life in Christ or remain separated from God forever. Every person deserves a chance to make that choice, to hear that there is hope and forgiveness and that Jesus truly loves them. But if we stay quiet, we may be denying them that opportunity.
Revelation 20:11-15 gives a sobering picture of the final judgement. It is not a story to scare us, but to awaken us. Picture standing before God and realizing someone you knew, it could be a friend from school, a neighbour or a loved one never who got to know Christ because you thought your voice did not matter. That thought alone should stir something inside you. The truth is our silence can echo louder than our fear. While we hesitate, souls are perishing, not because God does not love them but because no one told them how much He does. The Gospel is the cure to a sickness everyone carries, and we are the ones holding the medicine. Why keep it to ourselves when it can save lives?
Every “hello”, every chat and every moment is an opportunity. We do not have to preach with microphones, sometimes it is as simple as sharing what Jesus has done for us, showing love when others expect hate or inviting a friend to church. Our stories, our kindness and our courage can change someone’s eternity. So let us not wait for “the right time”, the right time is now. Someone out there is praying for a sign that God still cares and you might just be the answer to that prayer. Share hope. Go and tell!
Every believer is called to share the good news of Christ, yet many of us struggle with fear and hesitation. One of the greatest challenges we often face is the fear of rejection. We worry about being misunderstood, criticized, or ignored. In the face of fear of rejection, we should always remember even Jesus was rejected by His own people. However, that never inhibited His passion to fulfill purpose. Bear in mind! We plant and God waters causing the growth.
The feeling of inadequacy has eaten deep into the minds of Many Christians. Most often than not, we tend to question our ability to bring a whole human to Christ. We doubt our spirituality, eloquence or knowledge to share the Gospel. Nevertheless, where there is a will, there is a way. God uses an available medium and molds it into the instrument He desires and so the next time you feel inadequate, remember how God used Moses, Peter among others.
Telling others about Christ is not a one-time activity or a one-week church event. It is a mandate for a lifetime. Evangelism is not a special activity set aside for a special day. It is a daily duty. We are testaments of the salvation of the Lord and as such our lives must be capable of drawing men to Christ. Arise today! Let no man or stronghold tell you otherwise. You are definitely earmarked for this duty. Do not keep the Gospel. Spread it.
Each encounter we have in life carries eternal significance. God strategically places us in situations where our words or actions could be the very instruments of someone’s salvation. Yet, when fear, indifference, or comfort silences us, we miss moments divinely orchestrated for impact. Our silence can be the wall that prevents someone from hearing the message of life. Like the servant who hid his talent in Matthew 25:25, we often bury our opportunities to bear fruit, forgetting that souls hang in the balance of our obedience. Imagine if the Apostles decided not to preach the gospel there wouldn’t be the church of Jesus Christ as we have it today. They saw themselves as vessels and proclaimed the gospel as Jesus commissioned them and all followers of Jesus to do according to Matthew 28 19-20. Proclaiming the good news is not only an opportunity for us but an opportunity for God’s elect to come into his kingdom for his purposes to be done.
God’s purpose for every believer goes beyond personal salvation, it is to be His witness in the world. To stay silent, therefore, is to neglect our divine assignment. 1 Peter 2:9 declares that “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” When we fail to “go and tell,” we live beneath our calling, forfeiting the joy and fulfilment that comes from leading others to Christ. A Christian who does not share the gospel walks in partial obedience and does not live the life worthy of his or her calling.
Faith grows through exercise. When we testify of Christ, our conviction deepens, and our relationship with Him strengthens. Silence, on the other hand, breeds spiritual complacency. We begin to lose passion, boldness, and the joy of our salvation. Jesus warned in Matthew 5:13 that salt can lose its savour, so can our witness if we do not use it. A faith that is not shared soon dwindles, but a faith that shines inspires others and keeps the fire of devotion alive.
Many Christians hesitate to share their faith because they fear not knowing what to say. Yet God does not require eloquence — only a willing heart. Sharing the Gospel begins with your personal testimony. Tell how Jesus changed your life; people may argue with beliefs but not with experience. You can also ask questions and listen to show care and understanding. When words fail, offer to pray, prayer invites God’s presence and touches hearts deeply. Invite others to church or a Christian event where they can encounter God’s love. Remember, you are never alone. As Jesus said in Luke 12:12, “The Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.
In a world where diverse thoughts are often sharp, and voices are raised in anger and accusation, the Bible gives us a powerful reminder of how we are to communicate as in Ephesians 4:15, the Apostle Paul calls us to a high standard of communication. He does not ask us to simply speak the truth but to speak the truth in love. This is a very difficult task that requires wisdom, humility, and a dedicated heart that is more concerned with building strong relationships than winning arguments. This command requires more than just honesty but rather speaking in love. Speaking the truth in love means balancing truth which is often uncomfortable with love which melts the heart and heals. The fear of offending others is real, yet we are still called to speak the truth (Galatians 4:16). Truth spoken with respect, grace, and sensitivity builds up, not tears down. The Go and tell mandate is not to win arguments, but to nurture relationships and help others grow in Christlikeness (Ephesians 4:15). Sometimes, truth won’t be well received, just as Jesus faced rejection, but we are still called to speak it faithfully and lovingly having the assurance that the Holy Spirt Himself will do the work of conviction.
You might be thinking, “All this sounds wonderful, but maybe it’s not for someone like me.” Oh, dear one, the Go and Tell Mandate is for everyone. It’s simple, powerful, and possible in our everyday lives. First, pray before you say. Never forget the One who sent you; ask, as the Apostles did in Acts 4:29, for the Spirit of boldness. As you preach, remember to be what you declare and live what you share. Serve with love, show patience to all, and nurture relationships that reflect Christ’s heart. And if the story of how you got saved can lead another to Him—tell it all! See? It’s not as hard as it seems.
As we heed the Great Commission, let us remember that ‘Go and Tell’ is not a mere suggestion, but a divine mandate for every believer to embark on. Our silence has eternal consequences, leading to separation from the Father. Now is the time to do away with our fears, doubts, insecurities and excuses, and take up the mantle of evangelism with urgency and passion. By doing so, we fulfill our purpose, impact lives, and reflect God’s heart for humanity. Let us pray fervently, walk in our God-given purposes, and cultivate relationships that lead to opportunities for sharing Christ. Not by power, nor by might, but by the Spirit’s anointing, we shall make a difference in eternity. Remember, it is not about being perfect, but about being obedient to Him. As we step out in faith, God will use us to make a difference in eternity. Will you answer the call to “Go and Tell” today. So, roll up your sleeves, partner with the Holy Spirit and go and tell.
Written by Pastor Jonathan Ebo Quaye
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