We evangelize when we preach the word in order that the hearers would accept the free gift of eternal salvation found in Jesus Christ alone. The duty to evangelize is for us all, yet there are some to whom this is their life calling and primary ministry. All the ministries are important, but bringing those from darkness to light is a most blessed and eternal privilege.
An evangelist weeps over the lost and longs to show them the truth of Christ and His salvation. An evangelist has hope that everyone can be saved and that nobody is too far for the Lord to reach them. An evangelist has as their primary mission to lead people to Christ, one precious soul at a time. The evangelist is the lamp on earth where the light of Christ shines brightly.
Yield your life that it would be a lamp from which God could shine His light onto a darkened world. “Shine out among them like beacon lights, holding out to them the Word of Life…” (Philippians 2:15-16 TLB).
Early in my faith, I was afraid to share the gospel with unbelievers. I worried more about what they thought of me than what would happen to them if they never knew the Lord. I would at most engage in an intellectual argument, but would never share from the tenderness of my own soul.
If Christ is in you, then He won’t hide when you’re around unbelievers. “When the Messiah was executed on the stake as a criminal, I was too; so that my proud ego no longer lives. But the Messiah lives in me…” (Galatians 2:20 CJB).
Many years ago, the Lord allowed me for a time to walk in the ministry of evangelism. When I was in the prison ministry, there were so many opportunities to evangelize those unbelievers who were ripe and ready to be saved of Christ. What an honor it is to be a co-laborer of Christ for the kingdom.
It is when we open our hearts to help others that they can see the light of Christ within us. “Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.” (Isaiah 58:10 NLT).
When I first started to evangelize, I remember the stressful feeling of trying to do it right. It felt like a big weight in trying to convince someone into salvation and fearing that if I failed, they would lose out for all of eternity. Child of God, it is the Lord who does the heavy lifting, just let Him use you.
There are some things that only God can do. Jesus taught, “The only way people come to me is by the Father who sent me—he pulls on their hearts to embrace me. And those who are drawn to me, I will certainly raise them up in the last day.” (John 6:44 TPT).
For a long time, I also felt unworthy to evangelize. I thought that I must surely be purer and more knowledgeable before God could use me in His service. But the truth is, the moment you are saved, you have a testimony, and it is often your testimony that brings hope to a lost and dying world around you.
The most powerful message you can preach is your testimony. After Jesus delivered a man from demons, He told him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you” (Mark 5:19).
One thing that always influenced how I evangelize is how others were able to reach me many years ago when I was an unbeliever. What stirred me up for Christ were those Christians who accepted me, did not judge me, were kind to me, and did not attack me with arguments and condemnation.
I would rather win a soul than an argument. “Give no offense… just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:32-33).
You cannot show people in darkness the truth by your arguments but by your light. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).
One thing I have found with evangelizing is that we accomplish much in our practical serving to the ones who we desire would know Christ. Also, listening to others preaches a powerful message because it says you care. Be genuine, because people see through you, so be sure they see Christ when they do.
The greater you love someone, the more your actions will prove it. “My children, our love should not be only words and talk. Our love must be true love. And we should show that love by what we do.” (1 John 3:18 ICB).
You preach a good word when you listen to what others have to say. “Don’t be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4 NOG).
Some seasons are especially hard in which more unbelievers are ripe and ready to come to Christ. We will all play a part during these times. But if you are called to be an evangelist, it is in the darkest of times where you are needed the most. Never squander suffering that will lead to Christ.
The darker the times, the more that others can see the light within you. “So don’t hide your light! Let it shine brightly before others, so that the commendable things you do will shine as light upon them, and then they will give their praise to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 TPT).
Blessings to you,
Paul Balius
All Scripture is in red and uses the NKJV (New King James Version) translation unless otherwise noted.
I was invited to go on a mission trip with a group from my church, to support an orphanage in Mexico one year; and I was the only fluent Spanish speaker in the group. While their I enjoyed attending their church services and communicating with different types of people who I shared boldly how I came to Christ to them. Before going I was of how to address crowds of non believers in the city but the Holy Spirit gave me the confidence as I sat with a group of parents waiting for their children who were receiving nutritional treats. Everyday a group of females would prepare snake to give to the children after we told them stories about Jesus. Some times their parents would come before we were finished. We had a chance to listen to them as we prayed for guidance from the Holy which gave us onsite to theirs needs. Then when we return, the next few days the were eagerly waiting for us. We then shared our testimonies to them about God who loved us and his mercy forgiveness and love was available to all who believe in him. Upon returning home, missions become a lifestyle for me. A choice and commitment to spread the true Gospel of Christ. He came from heaven to earth, he died, for our sins, was buried in a tomb. But on the third day, God raised him from the died, and walked the earth for fourth days before a ascending up in a cloud to heaven with a promise to return. So we proclaim Christ the resurrected king!
What an incredible blessing that you allowed God to use you in this way. What a blessing for these families you ministered to in Mexico. It is a blessed thing to help a person come to Christ and find hope and truth in salvation by Him! Prayers that you will continue to be used mightily in God’s army!