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EVANGELISM: Not off the Hook
By Mark Mittelberg
How can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
ROMANS 10:14-15
Sometimes in evangelism we try to assume the Holy Spirit's role, but the much greater problem is our hoping the Holy Spirit will do our job for us. One popular version of evangelism says, "If I just live as a consistent Christian, people will see it, figure it out, and come to Christ." But that approach isn't biblical, and it doesn't work. In Romans 10:14 Paul said we have to go and give people the message. We have to initiate conversations and trust the Holy Spirit will work as we bring the message to those we converse with.
Another temptation is to ride on the positive experience people have when they come to a church program; we imagine they will be interested enough in what they've seen to figure it all out on their own.
Years ago a girl I knew from high school started coming to a Bible study I was leading. She learned the songs and started talking like us and hanging out with us. One day I said to her, "I'm glad you're part of the group."
"I love it," she replied.
"I'm just wondering," I said, "have you ever come to the point of committing your life to Christ so you know your sins are forgiven?"
"No, I've never done that," she said, "and no one ever told me I needed to." I learned we have to keep spelling out the basics.
Reflection
Who among my friends and colleagues might be open to the things of God?
Prayer
Lord, I don't ever want to take for granted my role in helping others come to you. Help me to do what I'm called to do in each relationship, both as a model of your love and as a communicator of your gospel.
"Consumer relationship development is as important as product development."
—Frank P. Perdue,
founder of the giant poultry business
Excerpted from Leadership Meditations: Reflections for Leaders in All Walks of Life, pages 49-52. Edited and selected by David Goetz. Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today International. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. For reprint information call 630-260-6200.
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