The Lord has been using the past couple of weeks to get me to examine many areas of my life. One of the areas He has been dealing in greatly is evangelism. Now, for those who don't know us that well, my husband is very involved in Biblical evangelism. If you want to understand that more you can read his article Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire. Gene has been very involved in this for nearly 3 years. We give out tracts wherever we go, and he goes out most every Friday night to witness one to one in downtown Houston. The girls and I often give out tracts when we go out, and I've gone with Gene to malls a few times, but only as an observer. I have approached a group of teens, and began a conversation with them, but didn't get very far due to my nerves. I have really been hiding behind my skirt when it comes to this issue. I have given many reasons, that, in reality, are just a bunch of platitudes. I have said things about my role as a wife, and questioned if as a woman I should approach a man to talk to him about Christ, and on and on. But, the truth of the matter is, that it was just a smoke screen. These thoughts were just a bunch of lies from Satan to keep me from doing the very thing that Christ called us all to do, "preach the gospel unto every creature." (Mark 16:15) That wasn't a conditional command. He also said, "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15), and, "And he said unto them, follow me and I will make you fishers of men." (Matt 4:19) These don't sound like suggestions to me; it sounds as if these were our marching orders.
I was in a conversation recently where this came into question. The person I was speaking to asked me if I thought we were all required to witness to people. I was surprised by the question, but he was sincere. I answered him that yes, we are all commanded to evangelize, there are no exceptions made in the scripture. It doesn't say, "Preach the gospel unto every creature.... unless you are a teacher, or have the gift of helps or administration". No matter what our gifting, we are responsible for evangelizing, no ifs, ands, or buts. And to be clear, sharing the gospel means opening your mouth and sharing with someone that they will face hell if they are not saved on the day that they die. It isn't just living a good life and hoping that someone will come and ask you what's different about your life. How many people have done that to you lately, or ever? I can say that no one has ever done that to me.
The thing that God really showed me was that even though I was confident of what His word said, I wasn't putting it into practice as I should. Gene's favorite verse to quote to me, or anyone else that says they are terrified, is: "And I bretheren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech, declaring unto you the testimony of God.For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling." (1 Cor 2:1-3) He then looks at me, or whomever he is talking to, and says, "See, you're qualified, just like Paul!"
Now that God has fully gotten my attention and even made me convict myself by my own words, I have decided to go with Gene into downtown Houston on Friday night. Yes, it's going to be one of the coldest nights so far this fall, and yes, I'm going in weakness, fear and with much trembling. The next two verses in 1 Corinthians are what I'm going to focus on though: "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (1 Cor 2:4-5). I covet your prayers for Gene and I and several others who will be downtown with people who are going to bars and who really need the gospel. And I challenge you to examine yourself and see if this also applies to your life.
If you are unsure how to share the gospel, please go to Living Waters or Way of the Master and you will find all the information you need.
