Sacred Jesus

A sad thing is happening among Christians today. Once they are saved, believers are not being challenged to grow in the area of personal evangelism. Whether comments are made aloud or not, this seems to be the mindset believers have, or are given:

• Jesus saved me, so I'm okay now. Nothing more to be done.
• It's okay if I don't personally evangelize. There are others who have been given that gift.
• As long as people know I go to church and read my Bible, I don't have to actually say anything.
• If evangelism makes me very uncomfortable and I don't think I'm good at it, it's probably not my gift. I just need to find something I'm good at.

I have talked with several young people who have made statements like these, and after telling someone of my own struggles in evangelism, I was told that there are some who are given this gift, and I'm not one of them, so I'm not to worry. Fellow believers, this is not the mind-set that God intends us to have! It is true that each believer is given a gift, and some are definitely gifted in evangelism, but we are all called to share God's Word to a lost and dying world.

Look at what the Bible says in regard to this "passable" mind-set, and see where that leaves us in regard to personal evangelism:

• "But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head- Christ." (Ephesians 4:15) Believers are told to speak the truth and grow!

• "Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) This is not an optional statement, and Jesus doesn't say anything about only the specifically gifted shining their light.

• "But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14) If those around us don't know anything about God, how will they understand our "religious" actions? We have to speak of the Redeemer! All believers need the attitude that Peter and John had, "for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:20)

• "Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not...keep a clear head about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (II Timothy 4:2,5) Timothy was told to share God's Word no matter what. When we look at the history of Timothy we see that he is a very timid individual, not one who would be expected to go and preach (proclaim), yet that is his command, and ours, too.

We need to step beyond "passable" Christianity, beyond living our lives doing only what we have to do to get by. The next time someone tells you that you're OK the way you are, stop and ask yourself, "Am I OK with being OK? Is God satisfied with where I am spiritually? Am I making every effort to share Him with those around me?"

About the Author:
Aleena Denison has a heart for seeing the message of the Bible presented in a clear way,and is dedicated to sharing Jesus with the lost and helping believers see their responsibilities in evangelism, discipleship, and Bible study. For more information and free downloads, see http://www.goodseed.com