On Evangelism
As of late, I have been inspired with an immense passion for lost souls. This is due, in large part, to an event which reminded me of a goal I once had, and rekindled the fire, figuratively speaking. So, I would like to share with you some of my cogitationes on the subject of evangelism.
I was walking through the streets of a nearby city with a friend, when we came across a little alcove in the buildings. Somewhat hidden from sight of those on the street was a small cot, surrounded by rubbish of all types—including needles, alcohol bottles, a fork, a clothes hangar; a lamp, a dirty sock, etc., you get the picture, I’m quite sure.
I snapped a picture from my phone, and continued walking on my merry way. After all, why should I think more of it? The person which lived there didn’t effect me in the least; what had this homeless person to do with me?
I thought no more of our little run-in until later that day while I was thinking of evangelism. Suddenly, I began to think what my responsibility should be to this person. This led me to further thoughts of my responsibility to any person who has not heard of Jesus Christ.
In Luke 12:48, Jesus says, “To whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.” There is no doubt that much has been given to us. First, we have the entire Bible in our language. We have, also, a wide array of extra-biblical resources for the Christian. I think that it would be safe to say that we have more than ever in the history of mankind, so far as readily accessible Christian material. The question then arises: What is required of us?
I believe that the great commission given to Jesus’ disciples in Mark 16:15 applies universally to each Christian. The word ‘disciple’ is derived from the Latin word ‘discipulus,’ which means a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another. Or, simply, a follower. So, essentially, when Jesus says to His disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all of creation, He is saying this to each of us, as well as to the original twelve disciples.
Perhaps, in our day we have become so incredibly comfortable with living in our Christian niche, that we have forgotten our calling.
Penn Jillette, a well-known atheist, said the following after being given a Bible by a Christian,
I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward—and [because of] atheists who think people shouldn’t proselytize and who say just leave me along and keep your religion to yourself—how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?
If someone shows a distinct lack of care for the lost (by ‘lost,’ I mean those without Christ), I wonder if indeed they truly have fully realized the salvific work of Jesus. For, if one truly recognizes the saving grace and love Jesus has bestowed upon the world, and also, the fact of the coming judgment, they will want to do all they can to tell them about Christ, and to warn them of impending judgement.
Now, to be clear, this is not to suggest that if one does not sell all, move to India and live there as a missionary, that they are not fulfilling the great commission. I believe that each of us will have unique callings on exactly how to fulfill this commission, which does not rule out the possibility that one may be called to not actually leave their hometown, but to support others in ways of finances and prayer. This does not negate our ultimate mission, however. We have been placed in this world as ambassadors for Christ, and as such, in whatever role find ourselves in, we are to fulfill this great mission as disciples of Christ.
So, later that night as I was mulling over the implications of my epiphany, I was struck with a sense of urgency to awaken those Christians that are perhaps asleep in the light, to go out and fulfill the command which God has given to us. If we don’t tell the unsaved about Jesus, how will they know?