Evangelism Tip Tuesday ~ Send a Postcard to Your Comfort Zone!

When I mention evangelism what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Are you fearful of getting out there and sharing your faith? Can you pinpoint what exactly you are afraid of? For most, it is simply a fear of rejection. Many worry about how they'll be received when sharing the Gospel with family, friends or even strangers. Sharing your faith can and most likely will be an experience that will leave you sweaty palmed and shaking in your boots but it will also bring you to your knees, fully dependent upon God and will bring tremendous glory to the Lord! Let's take a deeper look at all of this and let God's Word shine some light on what should be the legitimate concern for us as Christians.

Will you at times be mocked, rejected and even abandoned, completely cut off from those who you step out of your comfort zone to share the truth of the Gospel with? YES, YES and YES! Should this cause you to consider shrinking back in hopes of "keeping the peace" with others? NO! God has commanded that we go and preach the Gospel to every living creature. You will find no "except when" in Mark 16:15. It also doesn't say when it's comfortable, convenient, if you feel like it or if the person seems interested. It's not a suggestion "you may preach the Gospel" it is a command "Go". Unto death we are to proclaim the very truth that has saved us! We should boldly go forth echoing Paul, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."(Romans 1:16)

We are told again and again in scripture we will be despised, mocked and hated. (For a few examples see: 1 John 3:13, Luke 6:22, John 15:18-21, Matthew 10:22). Yet, as a follower of Christ we are commanded to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). This leaves no room for quietly remaining in comfort zones folks! A true believer is a doer of the Word not a hearer only (James 1:22, Matthew 7:21).

Think on this friend, one day EVERY person you share the Gospel with will know and understand the truth! Whether your message is received with thanksgiving and gratitude towards the Savior immediately or it is received with mocking and hatred, the day will come when that individual will fully understand that the Gospel message you presented to them is life giving truth. They may hatefully mock you up until their last breath but then they will step into eternity before a Holy and Just God. If not in this life, when they stand before God then they will know that you had cared enough to share the truth. They will understand, even at a cost, you were willing to warn them of what they would endure if they were to pay the debt of their sin on their own (an eternity in Hell), rather than repent and trust in Christ who bore the wrath of the Father they deserved (that they could be justified through the spotless blood of His substitutionary death and receive the free gift of eternal life).

Do you care enough about someone to proclaim the truth that saved a wretch like yourself, whatever the cost? Do you love God and long to see His Name unashamedly proclaimed enough to put everything on the line? You have a choice right now, care enough to warn others or remain silent. If you remain silent you won't ruffle any feathers and you may keep a relationship intact. Yet, if you choose this option you must be prepared to one day weep at that very loved one's funeral, certain that they will now spend all of eternity in Hell if they have died in their sins. You must also prepare to give an account to God as to why you in shameful disobedience cared more about pleasing that person than the God whom you claim to serve.


Letter from an Unsaved Friend

My friend, I stand in judgment now, and feel that you’re to blame somehow. On earth I walked with you by day, and never did you show the way.
You knew the Savior in truth and glory, But never did you tell the story. My knowledge then was very dim. You could have led me safe to Him.
Though we lived together, here on earth, you never told me of the second birth. And now I stand before eternal hell, because of heaven’s glory you did not tell!

...May such a thing not be spoken of us!