Every Christian’s Role In Evangelism: Part I

Posted by Seth Fuller on Nov 1, 2010 in Evangelism, Salvation

After struggling in recent weeks with my own views on evangelism, it became evident to me that I needed to study the topic again to reinvigorate my heart and mind with the truth of Scripture. Entering my mind were ridiculous thoughts like, “Maybe I don’t need to actively seek opportunity to share the gospel,” and “Maybe lifestyle evangelism really is the way to go.” I knew that these were lies– they only had the faintest foothold because it had been too long since I had reviewed the biblical teachings on the topic.

So then I turned to the famous quotation of Christ in Matthew 28:19-20,

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

I pondered on the intended application of this passage. Did Christ mean this instruction only for the apostles, since after all, the statement is clearly directed to them? We see that this instruction is laboriously implemented by the apostle Paul, as well as the first preachers of his day such as Timothy as well as Apollos, trained in part by Priscilla and Aquila. The truth is, the New Testament Church took for granted the practice of evangelism. Early Christians did not question the necessity of it. Such thoughts never seem to have entered their minds.

For the New Testament Church, Christ was the all-consuming objective. Paul testifies to this when he wrote,

“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” (Phil 3:8)

To the believer Christ is everything, and everything that is not Christ is nothing—it has no value. And while that doesn’t mean that Christians can avoid the responsibilities and conversation that come with being in the world, it does mean that Christians constantly yearn for what their hearts truly desire, which is a relationship with Christ in faith and holiness.

So let it be said with boldness, if our hearts are not overflowing with desire to share our faith in Christ while hoping and praying for opportunities to do so, either our faith is cold from the wintery lies of the world or we are not in Christ at all. There is no one who does not desire to speak about the object of their affection. Even Christ said, “Out of the the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matt 12:34) To be sure, the Christian is to approach conversation about Christ with grace, love, and peace, just as he is to do so with any topic, but during those daily periods when we are required to discuss worldly responsibilities, we must be at all times seeking opportunity to make Christ known. If Christ is not on the forefront of our minds, then we must be sure that those non-spiritual thoughts are only there by the necessity of living, working, and resting in this world. And if we are truly consumed with Christ, we will be driven to disregard our fear and trembling and preach the gospel at every opportunity. We won’t be able to stop ourselves.