Power of the gospel
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…. –Romans 1:16a (NIV)
I have a confession and a prayer request today: I stink at evangelism and I want to get better at it. I know Jesus and I love Jesus and I believe with all my heart that everyone would be better off if they felt the same. And yet, the idea of initiating a spiritual conversation with someone who isn’t already a believer makes my palms sweaty and my stomach hurt.
I am afraid. I’m afraid of offending. I’m afraid of being the weirdo who gets shunned by neighbors and workmates. I’m afraid I’ll get a question I can’t answer and end up looking awkward and clumsy. But I know the assignment is too important to ignore and I am confident the Holy Spirit will help me. So I’ve stolen some ideas from this article for cowards and adapted them for this space.
Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…. –Ephesians 6:19 (NIV)
Bold and winsome. Slapping that “Turn or Burn” decal on the back of the pickup may be bold, but it isn’t likely to point anyone toward Jesus. Going along to get along may win favor, but it’s unlikely to help anyone see their need for Jesus. I need to figure out how to be bold without coming off as dogmatic and judgmental. Humility and compassion are keys, I think.
The Spirit does the convicting and converting. If the person I’m speaking to does not come to Christ, that doesn’t mean evangelism didn’t happen. I’m a messenger. I need to be faithful to that; the response to the message is between the hearer and the Spirit.
Pray. Pray for those fields “white unto harvest”. Pray for people you know who are lost. Pray for an opportunity to share the gospel with someone who is lost. Pray for discernment to recognize open doors and courage to walk through them.
A declined offer doesn’t mean a severed friendship. Offering to engage in a spiritual discussion with someone who isn’t ready doesn’t mean that person is cut off. Worst case, they now know someone who is interested in spiritual things and cares about them. Don’t nag. Seed was sown. Continue praying. See what God may do over time.
I have to speak. A Christian example gives credibility to my witness, but there are a lot of people who are nice for a lot of reasons. People need to know that Jesus is my difference-maker. Look for ways to drop that into conversation, and don’t feel pressure to tell the whole story in one sitting.
Communicate Jesus, not a particular religious tradition. Know the gospel. Boil it down. A lot can be said, but it comes down to Who God is, What He has done, Who we are, and What we do. I need to frame that in my mind to the point that it can be expressed succinctly without using religious jargon. Practice with other believers first. Find an approach that feels natural.
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? –Romans 10:14-15 (NIV)
I’ll close with this old hymn. We don’t sing it much anymore, but it’s a good prayer.
Lead me to some soul today,
O teach me, Lord, just want to say;
Friends of mine are lost in sin,
And cannot find their way.
Few there are who seem to care,
And few there are who pray;
Melt my heart and fill my life,
Give me one soul today.