Personal Evangelism Training and the Christian
- Date: 2009-07-17 - Word Count: 550
Share This!
First of all, what is "passable" Christianity? There are among us those Christians who wish only to give the minimum possible to God. Prayer, church, and Bible reading are about as far as they are willing to go and even then, often only when it's convenient. There is no challenge among these Christians to grow in personal evangelism. Comments like the following are the accepted norm:
• "As long as I'm saved, I'm good to go,"
• "It's not necessary for me to personally evangelize because there are others with that gift,"
• "As long as people know I've been saved and go to church, I've evangelized. There's no need for me to verbally tell them anything,"
• "I'm not good at evangelism and it makes me uncomfortable, so it's obviously not my gift. I'll just have to find something else."
God never intended for us to have this "passable" mind-set! Though some believers have been given a special gift for evangelism, the rest of us still have a personal responsibility to evangelize. Throughout the Bible God gave specific instructions for every believer in the area of personal evangelism. Look at these verses:
• "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16 This verse doesn't say anything about only those who are gifted shining their light, but there is a command to let your light shine.
• Notice the attitude of Peter and John, "For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20 When anyone really comes to recognize what God has done for him or her, this will be the heart's attitude. Consider also what Paul said, "But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14 How will the lost understand what they call "religious" actions if they don't know anything about God, and we are unwilling to speak of our Redeemer?
• "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." Ephesians 4:15 All believers are given the non-optional command to speak, and grow!
• "Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season... always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." II Timothy 4:2,5 Given Timothy's timid personality, one would not expect him to be sent out as an evangelist, yet here we have Paul (inspired by God) telling him to share God's Word no matter what the circumstances. If God would expect it of one so timid, we can in no way consider ourselves left out of the command.
So, if you are one of the "passable" Christians, stop and ask yourself: Is "OK" good enough? If it is, it's time to step back and see what it is that God has done for you, and ask yourself why it's good enough for you, yet not good enough to share with the lost. Be challenged to take the next step in your relationship with God and pursue personal evangelism training so that you can share Him with a lost and dying world.
• "As long as I'm saved, I'm good to go,"
• "It's not necessary for me to personally evangelize because there are others with that gift,"
• "As long as people know I've been saved and go to church, I've evangelized. There's no need for me to verbally tell them anything,"
• "I'm not good at evangelism and it makes me uncomfortable, so it's obviously not my gift. I'll just have to find something else."
God never intended for us to have this "passable" mind-set! Though some believers have been given a special gift for evangelism, the rest of us still have a personal responsibility to evangelize. Throughout the Bible God gave specific instructions for every believer in the area of personal evangelism. Look at these verses:
• "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16 This verse doesn't say anything about only those who are gifted shining their light, but there is a command to let your light shine.
• Notice the attitude of Peter and John, "For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20 When anyone really comes to recognize what God has done for him or her, this will be the heart's attitude. Consider also what Paul said, "But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14 How will the lost understand what they call "religious" actions if they don't know anything about God, and we are unwilling to speak of our Redeemer?
• "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." Ephesians 4:15 All believers are given the non-optional command to speak, and grow!
• "Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season... always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." II Timothy 4:2,5 Given Timothy's timid personality, one would not expect him to be sent out as an evangelist, yet here we have Paul (inspired by God) telling him to share God's Word no matter what the circumstances. If God would expect it of one so timid, we can in no way consider ourselves left out of the command.
So, if you are one of the "passable" Christians, stop and ask yourself: Is "OK" good enough? If it is, it's time to step back and see what it is that God has done for you, and ask yourself why it's good enough for you, yet not good enough to share with the lost. Be challenged to take the next step in your relationship with God and pursue personal evangelism training so that you can share Him with a lost and dying world.
Aleena Denison has a heart for seeing the message of the Bible presented in a clear way,and is dedicated to sharing Jesus with the lost and helping believers see their responsibilities in evangelism,discipleship,and Bible study. For more information and free downloads, see http://www.goodseed.comn
n Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Unused Power
Ever wondered what would have already been accomplished on this earth if only a handful of people ha - How Horoscope / Astrology Does Affect A Person's Happiness
When we speak about happiness, it reflects on two variations. One as an emotion like being happy or - Using The Internet For God
Do you have a Christian product, service or message that you would like to inexpensively advertise a - Get The Latest Catholic Church Mass Times Now On The Internet
Get to know the Catholic Church Mass Times through the Internet. It is generally obligatory to atten - Horoscope Compatibility For Libra, Capricorn, Sagittarius
According to psychic readings, people under this horoscope signs are somewhat different and somewhat - Know Your Life Through Psychic And Clairvoyance!
Having psychic and clairvoyant readings done from professionals is the best way to know the flaws th - Astrology/horoscopes: Why People Love Astrology
Astrology/horoscopes is the study of celestial body movement. Astrologers believe that the movement - Benny Hinn: India Healing Crusade
Benny Hinn recently conducted a healing crusade in India that drew one of the largest crowds ever. P - Sun, Moon, Ascendants Sign In Birth Chart Wheel
The Ascendant signs or the rising sign - is the zodiacal sign and degree that was ascending on the e - Zodiac Sign Gemini And Its Houses Description
Understanding Zodiac is not that difficult at all, determining your reading for the said subject doe
Most viewed articles in this category:
- No Sign in the Prayer Test
The recent release of the Richard Dawkins book, "The God Delusion", has brought renewed accusations - Bible Versus Quran Versus Sciences Array (2) the Bees
Before dealing with the topic of the Bees in Quran versus Bible versus sciences, it is mandatory to - Understanding the Heart
(If you wish to more benefit from this article, please read first our "The Alems" titled article. - Christian Dating vs Courtship
Over the past decade, or so, It's become popular in modern churches to use the concept of courtship - Bible Versus Quran Versus Sciences, Array (19) the Birds
The issues concerning the Birds in the Bible are:1) The Birds are Detestable and intolerable, 2) The - Starting the Wealth Process
Luke 6:38 KJV Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken togethe - Dissolving the Illusion of Fear
Webster defines fear as unpleasant emotions cause by expectation or awareness of danger. However, - Crossing Paths with a Whistleblower
Mordechai Vanunu grew up in an Orthodox Jewish home but abandoned the faith by his mid teens. He bec - Conspiracy Madness
In connection with the WTC disaster there are conspiracy theories that have been proposed. Such as t - How You Dream Your World Into Existence
Reality is not real. It is a dream. This is not a metaphorical statement. On the quantum level of