Evangelism Seen Through a Different Lens

Many people require prescription glasses or contact lenses to see ahead of us or glasses to read what is in front of us.

To grasp the biblical definitions of evangelism, it’s helpful to put on God’s lenses so we can see:

1. Evangelism is not a responsibility to earn God’s favor nor an activity to be considered more holy than others. 
2. Proclaiming to others what Christ has done should not be looked upon as helping God, but an amazing opportunity for God to help you.

Evangelism is an exercise of faith.

The act of speaking to others about salvation by faith alone requires a deep trust in God’s promises and assurances.

When proclaiming the gospel, our trust deepens, our faith strengthens, and our joy increases. 

Consider the following truths from the Bible that can be applied to being God’s messengers:

• In the face of fear or timidity, God provides.  (1 Tim. 4:7)
• In the face of being called a fool, God provides.  (1 Cor. 1:18)
• In the face of not knowing what to say, God provides. (Mark 13:11)
• In the face of perceived failure, God provides. (Isaiah 55:11)

Reading the Bible through God’s lens, evangelism is not a self-driven duty for God, but a spirit-filled response with a greater purpose.

Our motivation to spread the Word no longer is about growing your church and filling seats for Sunday morning worship but being all things for all people so that some people will be saved. (1 Cor. 9:22)

One of my greatest joys in conducting evangelism training with Praise and Proclaim is observing faithful Christians go out into the surrounding neighborhoods to proclaim the gospel. For many, this is the first time they are verbally sharing what Christ has done for us.

I love seeing the glow on their faces when they tell me about their experience. In some ways, I receive a glimpse of what it must be like to see “the face of an angel.”

Trust God’s promises and he will provide a new lens and clearly see that evangelism is far more about his work in us rather than our work for God.