…”Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel…”
Mark 16: 15 (NKJV)
Admittedly, when it comes to our individual decision to share the Good News, there are three elephants in the (evangelism) room :
A. I am unworthy.
B. It’s too risky.
C. I don’t have all the answers.
I am unworthy
Often time we feel as though we’re not good or righteous enough to evangelise. Our past sins and indiscretions are the foremost barriers. Can you visualise trying to tell persons you gambled with or imbibed with or stole with, about how Jesus turned your life around and it is that same Power that will turn theirs around?
Take heart, all evangelists except the Lord Jesus Christ had their struggles with sin, yet that which was a stumbling block became a stepping stone to declare more passionately and persuasively the transformative power of God in Jesus Christ through the forgiveness of sins.
Chief among examples is the woman at the well (John 4) whose indiscretions were as public as newspaper headlines, yet one encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ and she immediately evangelised her community.
Jesus makes the unworthy worthy to share the Good News!
It’s too risky
Thinking about evangelism can be scary at times. Biblical accounts reveal that persons were persecuted and lost their lives for spreading the Gospel. In today’s world, such sacrificial experiences are still obtained in some countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East inter alia. Indeed, persons daily face real risks for the Gospel’s sake – is it truly worth the risks?
The Love of God; a saved soul and the transformative power of the Gospel are worth taking risks. To redeem us and set us free, God Himself bore the ultimate risk of shameful death on the cross. Those of us fortunate enough to live in countries where there are fewer extremes to no risks associated with sharing the Gospel, must not take this for granted. Instead, we must do the work of an evangelist (2 Tim 4:5) while it is day, for the night is coming when no man can work – (John 9:4).
I don’t have all the answers
Unbelievers can be very difficult to share the Gospel with at times. Admittedly, they may have questions we also have as believers. They sometimes have difficult questions that we may not have answers to. Being or feeling inadequately prepared for anything, especially talking about our faith, can be worrisome.
God offers us His help. He encourages us to study His word (2 Tim 2:15). He has gifted us the Holy Spirit Who teaches us and brings us to remembrance (John 14:26) and He will grant us wisdom and put the words in our mouth (Luke 21:15). Be encouraged, evangelism is not for experts alone but for every believer who loves God enough to share how He made a difference in their life.
Evangelism is our Father’s business – (2 Peter 3:9). Evangelism is therefore every believer’s business – (Rom 10:14-15). Simply put, evangelism is openly acknowledging Jesus wherever we may have influence.
Matthew 10:32-33 says, “Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before My Father in heaven.”
Questions: How do you rate your current level of evangelism? When last did you partner with or support a full time evangelist/ missionary, whether in cash or kind?
Read: 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 10:14-15; Luke 21:14-15
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 10:31-32; Proverbs 11:1-8; John 1:29-51; Joshua 17; Joshua 18
