Evangelism Measures Your Faith
Our country is suffering and the suffering is felt by many people. Some of this
suffering is happening because politicians are not doing what they said they
were going to do. They promised that if they got elected certain things would
happen. Well, it has not happened yet. Many people are frustrated and along
comes a loudmouth billionaire speaking what is on many minds. So he shoots to
the top of the polls. Everyone knows why this is happening, but those who need
to hear the message are not listening to the people. It is time that the politicians
put into action what they said they would do.
Is it any different with Christians? Let's face it, many Christians say one
thing and do another. There are those who portray themselves as righteous people
when they go to church, but upon leaving church, the act like those of the world.
Christians like to talk about evangelism. They might brag about evangelistic
efforts of the past. They are really happy if their local preacher talks about
evangelism, or if he actually goes out and evangelizes. The Christians want
to encourage other Christians to evangelize. And this is all well and good to
talk about it. Frankly, we should be tired and weary of the talk without action.
We get tired of our politicians making promises; why should we not get tired
of Christians talking about evangelism, but not doing anything about it.
It is something that is commanded of God. Jesus gave His disciples the command
to go into all the world and teach all nations (Matthew 28:19). Jesus told His
disciples what to teach: the gospel (Mark 16:15). His disciples took the message
to the world, and taught others to do the same (2 Timothy 2:2). Persecution
arose, and Christians were scattered everywhere, yet they carried the gospel
with them. The Scripture says that they went everywhere preaching the word (Acts
8:4).
It seems most of the time that members of the church expect others to evangelize
and they are ready to offer support. Most Christians know the importance of
evangelism, and they expect their preacher to evangelize others. They go to
church and sing songs about evangelism. They listen to the preacher talk about
evangelism, and might even give him a pat on the back for his words. They want
other members to evangelize, but they never do any evangelism on their own.
Why is that? I would suggest that they do not evangelize because they do not
believe the message of the Cross. They have no faith to build upon.
The gospel we preach today is no different than it was in the first century.
Those in that day were so excited about the gospel; they were willing to die
for what they believed. Is there any indication that Christians today would
do the same?
Praise God that there are a few souls who believe in the saving power of the
Gospel enough to share it with others. Folks, this is the right thing to do,
and if you do not evangelize others, you will be guilty of sin. James 4:17 reads:
"He that knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin".
The responsibility to evangelize is placed upon every Christian, young or old,
rich or poor. Each one needs to examine their self to see if they are in the
faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). If you are not evangelizing, you demonstrate that
you have no faith.
By Carey Scott
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