Do you have a deepening love for people who dislike God? This is critical to the evangelism efforts of Christians. Without love, the best evangelism efforts are like the sound of alley cats fighting for garbage can rights.
I encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 about God’s expectations for Christ-like love and then filter what you read, think, and do through the Scriptures.
I think I’m beginning to get it. I’m not supposed to make friends so that I can witness to them. I’m not even charged with making friends. God wants me to love people!
Sometimes, they will become friends. Other times, my love will be demonstrated only once as I exchange a kind word with a stranger or stop to help someone pick up groceries they dropped. True love will include meeting needs I’m able and willing to meet.
If God brings a person into my life with the spiritual need of hearing the gospel, am I prepared to demonstrate my love for them by my willingness and ability to clearly explain the message of the cross? Are you?
One Easter, I posted an article online sharing the Christian message of the holiday, and placed ‘ads’ on Craigslist encouraging people to read it. Here’s the text from one of those ads.
Do you think Jesus and the Easter Bunny are myths? Our furry friend, the Easter Bunny can seem more believable in many ways than Jesus Christ. That does not necessarily make Jesus a myth however. I encourage you to read The Easter Puzzle…if you want to learn more about this Jesus.
One day I got this reply from someone who read an ad on Craigslist.
“Jesus is a myth, just like the Easter Bunny. Please stop posting your crap on Craigslist, you’re not getting my money.”
What could I do next? That’s the question I asked myself and one I’m asking you now. Should I have tried to make them realize I didn’t want their money? Is there a scripture they might have listened too? What could I have said that would make them realize that Jesus is real? Should I even have bothered answering? What do you think would have been a good reply?
In upcoming blog posts, I’ll finish the rest of my story, ‘Drama on Craigslist’, share some of the answers we’ve received from readers in the past, draw some conclusions from your comments, and give a few practical ways you can implement what’s been learned.
Text of the original “Easter Puzzle“
Share the Savior’s ministry is geared toward adults. But sometimes, something comes along that’s more focused on kids, and since they need a savior too, I want to share Ben Irwin’s post today. Read the whole thing. See like a child. Experience Christ in a fresh new way.
When our friends have questions, they want to hear real answers from someone they trust. Sometimes they may just need us to listen. We should always be patient with them, even if we see them moving away from Christ. That’s what love looks like!
“The Bible reveals a God who, long before it even occurs to man to turn to him, while man is still lost in darkness and sunk in sin, takes the initiative, rises from his throne, lays aside his glory, and stoops to seek until he finds him.” John R.W. Stott; Basic Christianity
That’s a great picture of the God we want our friends and loved ones to meet. Do you see an example to follow that might help your friend see that type of God through you?
Find more great evangelism reads
I’m so often reminded of how little my effort to write a word of encouragement, has meant on its own. Since it’s impossible for me to determine what you need to move toward greater evangelistic effectiveness, let alone get you moving in that direction, I can only share what I think God wants me to share, and hope He does something with it.
And really, that’s what I’ve ‘preached’ on this blog, and via our Facebook page, when it comes to personal evangelism. You and I are to share what God has given us, the message of redemption through faith in His Son, and then stand back and watch His power at work.
That’s how it should be. It keeps you and I humble and brings glory to our God!
In April of 2010, I emailed an online friend, and he replied the next day. It had been nearly four years since I’d last heard from him, so there was lots of catching up to do. Since our initial contact, he’s told me of his hobbies, retirement plans, health issues in his family, and a lot about where he is spiritually.
That’s Practical Principal #1 – Evangelism is more about People than it is a Process. I’m called to love people, and when I do, I’ll stick around even if they aren’t loving me back. When they demonstrate a need that I’m able to meet, I’ll bend over backward to help. Along the way, it’s possible that God will allow me the privilege of being part of His plan to draw them toward Christ.
I’ve learned a lot from the exchanges with my friend, especially trying to figure out what would be appropriate to say, and how and when to say it. And that leads me to Practical Principal #2 – Evangelism might be used as much by God to teach us as it is to reach others through us. Our entire life can and should be spent learning to love others like Jesus did.
Which of our two Practical Principal do you like the most?
Simpson-ology – Evangelism is for YOU
“Evangelism isn’t just important for the non-Christian; it’s important for YOU. Sharing the gift of God’s love with someone else should be the most exciting and encouraging event in your life, every time it happens.” Michael Simpson; Permission Evangelism
It’s great to be excited and encouraged by God’s work, but I wonder if there are other important benefits to our evangelism efforts. Can you think of any? Maybe the one you share will be what God uses to prompt another child of His to begin sharing their faith.
Check out Michael’s standing on our Suggested Reading List
See other evangelism resources for Christians