Go ye into the world and preach the Gospel is still a commandment that is mostly overlooked by Christians today. Forgetting that the primary reason Christ came into the world was to save the world and He left people behind with the expectation that they will continue in what He came for. You are not saved because you were born into a family that went to church, you are saved because of knowledge—you heard about Christ, believed and asked Him into your life. If you didn’t know about Him, there is no way you would have been saved.
And that is what Evangelism is about, spreading the knowledge of Christ to people so that they may be saved. Sadly, many believers have relegated this task to pastors, evangelists, “men of God” in general. Christ didn’t list out a particular set of people to preach the Gospel. Given, pastors and “men of God” mount the pulpit to preach but preaching isn’t meant to be done in church alone. Preaching is meant to be done wherever Christians find themselves because a soul that is yet to be saved may be there.
Jesus Christ, when He walked on earth didn’t confine Himself to preaching in the temple or synagogue. He preached wherever He went. He said He came to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10 KJV). The “lost” aren’t found in particular areas or countries or locations, the “lost” are everywhere. They are made up of those who have heard about the Gospel but don’t believe, those who haven’t even heard anything about Jesus at all, and also those who at one point in time heard and believed but due to one reason or the other fell back. Practically anyone who doesn’t believe in Jesus Christ, regardless of the reason, is lost. And Christ came and left with the confidence that He is leaving people behind to continue His work to oncoming generations until He returns.
But how many Christians evangelize? How many of us even remember that there is something called “evangelism”? We are merely comfortable with attending church on Sundays and probably weekly activities, forgetting that there are many out there who are wallowing in darkness either knowingly or unknowingly. How many Christians shine forth the light of the Gospel?
While many Christians are nonchalant about evangelism, others are afraid. Afraid that those they approach wouldn’t be interested or afraid that they may be asked a question and they wouldn’t know the answer or afraid that they will be drawn into arguments regarding difference in beliefs. For those who entertain various fears regarding evangelism, remember firstly that God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear, He has given us the spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). You are therefore to go forth in that power, unafraid of whoever you will be speaking to. And in that love for unsaved souls because love really is the foundation (John 3:16), if God didn’t love us then He wouldn’t have set out to save us. Next, remember that it isn’t your job to save. No matter how spiritually strong a Christian is or becomes, he/she can never carry out the work of salvation. Furthermore, a person isn’t saved because of a Christian's oratory prowess or because of the number of Scriptures quoted. On this premise, you shouldn’t focus so much on how to convince people, your work is just to tell them about Jesus Christ, the One who saved you, the One you have come to know and love and serve. It will be unwise to engage each person in arguments about religion. Christianity isn’t a physical engagement, it is highly spiritual.
Recall that not everyone who Christ came in contact with, believed in Him. In fact even His own family and hometown found it difficult to believe in Him. If Christ Himself was blatantly turned down by some, how much less you, a mere human being. Christ didn’t let that deter Him, He kept seeking for souls. You also shouldn’t allow that stop you from spreading the Gospel. Meanwhile, who said that the people you approach wouldn’t accept Jesus? They may or they may not, it isn’t for you to try to determine it. Simply keep carrying out Christ’s command. The Gospel is meant to reach the whole world meaning that every Christian is to preach it wherever he/she is. You may be the only means by which the people in your community can meet with Jesus, why don’t you give them the opportunity to meet Him? Take Christ to them that they may be saved.
The first time you evangelize, you may still feel a little fear while approaching the person but keep moving until you get to speak to the person. You will discover that overtime your love for it will keep growing and you will always yearn to do it. Invariably, all fear will be forgotten and it will become part of you. All it takes is that first step.
For those who are simply nonchalant about it. Probably because they feel it doesn’t directly affect them. That is a wrong notion. It directly affects all Christians. We are Christ's representatives here on earth and we are to walk in His footsteps. Christ preached and so should we. In addition, He followed it up by specifically giving us that command. And so the same way we don’t steal, kill, commit adultery, serve other gods as Christians, likewise are we meant to preach the Gospel. The same gravity that we attach to other commandments should be attached to this command.
Lastly, we shouldn’t forget to also preach Christ through our conduct. Be doers of the word (James 1:22). Don’t don a holy personality when you are preaching to people and put on a separate one when you get home. If anyone was to bump into you anywhere, let the person be convinced that you are actually a Christian, that you are who you say you are.
Preach the Gospel and Live the Gospel!
So help me God
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