Our mindset of results, results, results in every aspect of life has paid a terrible toll on our attitudes toward evangelism. Evangelism, of course, requires the actual proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ. Any event or series of events that does not lead up to this actual verbal presentation is not evangelism. But that is another blog…back to my point – if you have spoken the breaking news of salvation by faith through Jesus Christ then it can only be one type of evangelism. Successful Evangelism!
I certainly have my preferences about what modes are most fruitful and encapsulate the matching of the presentation to that which is presented. But this hand-wrenching, heart-twisting fretting that we engage in after the fact belays a misunderstanding of what evangelism is. Our heart is always to see other people come to the place where they submit to the lordship of Jesus Christ. But our hope is not placed on people and their decisions – it is placed on the fact that God is the supreme ruler of the entire universe and that one day every one will kneel in acknowledgment of His reign. Here’s a secret – God uses the evangelism event as much for you in your walk with Him as He does for the recipient of the message. So relax – and the leave the results to God. Be faithful and proclaim His Name to the corners of the earth knowing that all evangelism is successful evangelism.
Friday, May 17, 2024
20 hours ago
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We've been reading Josef Pieper's Leisure: The Basis of Culture at work as a faculty and he (way back in the '50s) tackles the cultural obsession with utility and "results." It is a fascinating read and has helped me better understand how the Church has let the culture lead it. I wrote a blog post related to this: http://jdouvier.blogspot.com/2008/12/leisure-usefulness-and-education.html
ReplyDeleteJacob, thanks for the info. I take a look.
ReplyDeleteIsrael
We as Americans have an obsession with reaping but the scriptures tell us that sowing is as important a part of the process as the actually leading of someone to the Lord. Just because we are sowing doesn't mean we are unsuccessful. We need more sowers! And so says your mom.
ReplyDeleteMom -
ReplyDeleteHow did you break out of the closet in my basement? Either way, I will be checking the lock - you can be sure of that!
Israel