Problems with Today’s Evangelism: Part 1

Most Christians will recognize that evangelism is needed. Some believe that everyone ought to have some role in getting the Word to people and try to do that by being examples to others. Even fewer do all of these things and then dedicate their lives to bringing people to the gospel. Why is that? And why is it that so often our attempts fail, leaving us discouraged and leaving people abandoned without the gift of salvation?

Here Am I Lord, Send Them!

Most of us in the Lord’s church do not have the same mindset as Elijah in 1 Kings 19 when it comes to evangelism. Elijah cried out to God saying that he was the only one left of God’s people when in reality God had reserved seven thousand people in Israel who had faith in Him. Elijah was a prophet and a preacher tasked with preaching repentance and faithfulness to God. Even though he knew he could very well die and may have been the last godly person, Elijah was not about to give up. About 2,600 years later, surrounded by Christians, we often feel that somebody else will do the job. It’s not just the preacher’s job. It’s not just the elders’ job. Sending young men to preaching school is not evangelism. Though it may help out in the future and is certainly needed by those young men who want to preach, what are you directly doing to evangelize?

If Not You, Then Who?

Besides loving Jesus, what is our job as Christians? What is our purpose? Did Jesus die on the cross so that we could live comfortable lives? If only we could ask some of the apostles and 1st century Christians who died in the name of Christ. Paul wrote in 2 Cor 5:17-21:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away;

behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to

himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was

reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and

entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for

Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be

reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in

him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Did you catch that? Paul is rephrasing the Great Commission. We, who were saved by the one who never sinned, were reconciled to God. Now, as called and elected ambassadors for Christ, we are given the “ministry of reconciliation.” God has chosen to make His appeal of reconciliation through us. Unless we are true ambassadors for Christ and preaching the gospel to our neighbors, we are failing in our purpose and prevent God from making His appeal through us to others. God has put His trust in us to deliver the message. Will you break His trust? It is my hope that if you’re a Christian that you will recognize the call that you have to teach others God’s word. May your pursuits to please God be effective and may your labor for His kingdom be fruitful.

Yours in Christ,

Zack