How sad is the person who believes what he does in life is of no real consequence. There could be little, if any, incentive for excellence. In fact, one who believes this would likely have very little to motivate him at all. His life, in a sense, would be “meaningless.”

This was not the case with Paul. He had an unwavering confidence in the importance of his work as a preacher of the Gospel. To the Corinthians he wrote, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21). As brilliant as man may seem, he would never have been wise enough to figure out a workable way to be saved. However, God somewhere in eternity had devised a plan that would work. The only way man could learn of God’s plan for saving man was for that message to be taught (preached). Hence, Paul believed the communication of that message was of eternal consequence.

He confirmed his unwavering confidence in the importance of preaching the Gospel when he wrote to Titus. To this young preacher he wrote, “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;” (Titus 1:2–3).

There are scores of important occupations in which men and women are employed today. Discoveries are made, lives are saved, and families are fed through a vast multitude of careers and trades.  None of these works is of greater importance than preaching the saving Gospel to a lost world. Those of us who preach must not be lifted up with pride, but neither should we be ashamed to admit that we are a “preacher.” Those who faithfully proclaim the message of God to mankind are engaged in the greatest work on earth. Never forget its importance. Never take this responsibility lightly. Always remember that this is a work devised and enacted through the wisdom of an omniscient God to save sinners whom He loves so dearly!