益德熱衷於向人傳講耶穌。他在一個南亞國家花了一個星期的時間，向一群教會領袖講解提摩太後書。益德要他們留意使徒保羅給提摩太的臨別贈言，勸勉他們不要以傳福音為恥，反倒要像使徒保羅一樣，為福音的緣故忍受苦難和逼迫（提摩太後書1章8-9節）。幾天後，益德才知道那個國家嚴禁人們傳福音和相信基督。他深切關心這些領袖的境況，便懇求上帝讓他們能持守信仰，也能大膽、熱切地繼續傳揚福音。

使徒保羅深知傳福音所面對的危難。他曾為了福音被關在監獄裡一段時間（8、16節）；為了傳道遭受許多苦難（11-12節），包括被毆打、受鞭打和被石頭打（參閱哥林多後書11章23-29節）。但沒有任何事能阻止使徒保羅向人傳講耶穌。他秉持著什麼理念呢？他說：「因我活著就是基督，我死了就有益處」（腓立比書1章21節）。使徒保羅活著是為了向人傳講基督，他知道自己若死了，就與耶穌同在。使徒保羅提醒提摩太，聖靈會使他得到能力（提摩太後書1章7節）。

上帝呼召所有的基督徒，無論我們身在何處──是在國內或在國外──都要向人傳講耶穌。即使我們可能會受苦，但祂就在你我身邊。

Elliot is passionate about telling others about Jesus. During a week spent teaching from 2 Timothy for church leaders in a South Asian country, he reminded them of Paul’s farewell to Timothy. He urged them not to be ashamed of the good news but instead to embrace suffering and persecution for the gospel’s sake as did Paul (1:8-9). A few days later, Elliot learned that evangelism and Christian conversion had been banned in that country. With deep concern for their welfare, he prayed for these leaders to persevere and to boldly and with urgency continue to proclaim the gospel.

Paul understood the danger inherent in proclaiming the good news. He spent time in prison (vv. 8, 16) and had suffered in many other ways because of his teaching (vv. 11-12)—including being beaten, whipped, and stoned (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-29). But nothing kept Paul from telling others about Jesus. His philosophy? “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). He lived to tell others about Christ, but he knew that if he died, he would be with Jesus. Paul reminded Timothy that the Holy Spirit would empower him (2 Timothy 1:7).

God calls all of us who believe, wherever we are—at home or abroad—to tell others about Jesus. We may suffer, but He is right there with us.