In Evangelism, Never Forget…
There are a lot of excuses that people–including me–give for not being involved. Depending on one’s personality type, some of the excuses do have a little merit, but they do not give us a total “out.” There is something that each one of us can do to try to teach the lost.
As we think about those we hope to reach, they really fall into two very broad categories. First and most obviously, there are those who have never become Christians. They have never put Christ on in baptism for the remission of their sins, so their sins are still on their souls. We all know we need to be striving to reach them, but we can very easily be intimidated or downright scared.
The other group of people are those who once were faithful, but who, for various reasons, have drifted from the faith. They have gone back into the world and are now living a life alienated from the Lord. We know we need to be trying to encourage them and help them see that they need to return to God, but, again, we can feel scared of saying or doing something that will only make it less likely they will return.
In both cases, we can easily make excuses based upon fear. What, exactly, we are fearful of may vary depending on the person or the situation, but most of the reason we fail to be involved in evangelism comes down to fear. Personally, I know that’s true of me, and it is something that I am trying to do far better about.
But when we are fearful in evangelism, we are showing that we have forgotten one of the most important things pertaining to it. When we are fearful, we are showing that we haven’t taken to heart that Jesus has promised to be with us in both cases!
When we seek to win those who have never obeyed the Gospel, Jesus has promised His presence. At the end of Matthew’s account of the Great Commission, he reminds us that Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). That promise is at the end of the command to teach all nations; in other words, to seek to win the lost.
And when we seek to win back those who have sinned against the Lord and are now in danger of being estranged from Him, the same promise is given. When we have those difficult conversations where “two or three” are gathered and it is in the way that Jesus has prescribed, He promises, “I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).
If we are promised the very presence of Jesus, is that not enough to overcome our fears? Is He not enough???
Rely on His presence. Teach someone; reach out to someone; encourage someone; invite someone. If you are doing so with the right heart, Jesus is right there with you!
AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
