In my last post, I shared a one paragraph definition of the Gospel. In this post and the next, I'm going to share some reasons to share your faith.
Before We Begin
Many times, evangelism is shared as a duty. This is certainly true, as we will see in a moment, but it's so much more than that. Like many duties of the faith, evangelism is meant to flow out of our relationship with Christ. Like praise, service, and giving of one's treasure and resources, sharing the Gospel with another should flow from a sense of worship rather than a sense of mere duty. As we contemplate all that Christ did for us, we begin to be compelled to worship out of gratefulness, and, from that attitude, we then share with unbelievers.
The Road to Salvation as a Process
I will be referring to this concept throughout this series. When I first started to really study evangelism, one short verse changed my entire approach and attitude.
Paul, in I Corinthians 3 addresses sectarianism - divisions within the church at Corinth - that developed from the followers of those who shared the Gospel with certain groups. In verse 5, Paul states one phrase that has changed my entire view of sharing the Gospel, "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?". Paul is pointing out that both he and Apollos shared the Gospel with the Corinthian believers...and the followers of each evangelist created rivaling camps.
Verse 6 is the verse that was key for me, "I [Paul] planted, Appolos watered, but God gave the increase." In this short verse, Paul points out that, while Paul and Apollos labored, it was God who redeemed believers to Himself. For me, that changed how I approach sharing my faith. No longer was I responsible for the results; I was only responsible for faithfully sharing. No longer was I responsible for the end result; I was merely playing my part, along with others, to move someone along the path to salvation.
The road to salvation is a process. Some scriptures use the phrase "being saved" (see I Corinth. 1:18, 2 Corinth 2:15), indicating it's a process. This isn't just the road to sanctification after salvation; it's the road to salvation. Paul's short phrase states that, every time we share the Gospel with another person, we're seeding, watering, tending the ground, weeding, and, occasionally, we may get to harvest. Every interaction is, potentially, moving someone along the pathway to salvation.
The other key point from 1 Corinthians 3:6 is this phrase, "but God gave the increase." The results are up to Him! My responsibility is to share faithfully, to the best of my ability, and He is responsible for results. How liberating!
The Overflow of Gratitude
In my next post, I will share two biblical mandates to share our faith. To ward off legalistic mandates, I would like to share my personal view to motive.
Yes, we are called to share our faith. It is one of the spiritual disciplines. But I also view evangelism as a form of worship, and, as a form of worship, it should flow out of the abundance of my gratitude for what Christ did for me. Now, rather than be a mere duty, it becomes another form of worship unto the Savior who redeemed me.
When I view sharing my faith in this light, I feel less of the pressure to "have to" share my faith. Instead, I am liberated from a self-imposed guilt, and, ironically, I am more likely to share my faith.
Next time, I will share two strong mandates to share. In the meantime, meditate on the great work of salvation Christ worked in your life.
All passages are quoted from The Nelson Study Bible, Copyright 1997 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used with Permission.
Before We Begin
Many times, evangelism is shared as a duty. This is certainly true, as we will see in a moment, but it's so much more than that. Like many duties of the faith, evangelism is meant to flow out of our relationship with Christ. Like praise, service, and giving of one's treasure and resources, sharing the Gospel with another should flow from a sense of worship rather than a sense of mere duty. As we contemplate all that Christ did for us, we begin to be compelled to worship out of gratefulness, and, from that attitude, we then share with unbelievers.
The Road to Salvation as a Process
I will be referring to this concept throughout this series. When I first started to really study evangelism, one short verse changed my entire approach and attitude.
Paul, in I Corinthians 3 addresses sectarianism - divisions within the church at Corinth - that developed from the followers of those who shared the Gospel with certain groups. In verse 5, Paul states one phrase that has changed my entire view of sharing the Gospel, "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?". Paul is pointing out that both he and Apollos shared the Gospel with the Corinthian believers...and the followers of each evangelist created rivaling camps.
Verse 6 is the verse that was key for me, "I [Paul] planted, Appolos watered, but God gave the increase." In this short verse, Paul points out that, while Paul and Apollos labored, it was God who redeemed believers to Himself. For me, that changed how I approach sharing my faith. No longer was I responsible for the results; I was only responsible for faithfully sharing. No longer was I responsible for the end result; I was merely playing my part, along with others, to move someone along the path to salvation.
The road to salvation is a process. Some scriptures use the phrase "being saved" (see I Corinth. 1:18, 2 Corinth 2:15), indicating it's a process. This isn't just the road to sanctification after salvation; it's the road to salvation. Paul's short phrase states that, every time we share the Gospel with another person, we're seeding, watering, tending the ground, weeding, and, occasionally, we may get to harvest. Every interaction is, potentially, moving someone along the pathway to salvation.
The other key point from 1 Corinthians 3:6 is this phrase, "but God gave the increase." The results are up to Him! My responsibility is to share faithfully, to the best of my ability, and He is responsible for results. How liberating!
The Overflow of Gratitude
In my next post, I will share two biblical mandates to share our faith. To ward off legalistic mandates, I would like to share my personal view to motive.
Yes, we are called to share our faith. It is one of the spiritual disciplines. But I also view evangelism as a form of worship, and, as a form of worship, it should flow out of the abundance of my gratitude for what Christ did for me. Now, rather than be a mere duty, it becomes another form of worship unto the Savior who redeemed me.
When I view sharing my faith in this light, I feel less of the pressure to "have to" share my faith. Instead, I am liberated from a self-imposed guilt, and, ironically, I am more likely to share my faith.
Next time, I will share two strong mandates to share. In the meantime, meditate on the great work of salvation Christ worked in your life.
All passages are quoted from The Nelson Study Bible, Copyright 1997 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used with Permission.
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