The Right Perspective Makes all the Difference in Evangelism

Many of us experience fear and trepidation over the thought of sharing Christ with a child. “What if I make it too complicated?” “What if I don’t have all the answers?”

Sometimes it’s because we put too much pressure on ourselves to perform, or even think a person’s salvation is our responsibility.

Scripture has much to say about keeping a proper perspective in evangelism, including both those involved and what roles they play (cf. John 4:34­–38).

Three types of people play a role in evangelism: (1) those who are a part of the harvest––unbelievers, (2) the One who sends out the laborers––God, and (3) the disciples––believers.

Unbelievers share several things in common. Anyone apart from Christ is:

• Dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1)
• Blind; the gospel is veiled to the perishing (2 Cor. 4:3–4)
• Spiritually foolish (1 Cor. 2:14)
• Lost; without a shepherd (Mark 6:34)
• Deceived and serving the world (Titus 3:3)

Though second on the list, God plays the key part. He is the One who goes before us, with us, and after us in evangelism. He also cares more for the children in our lives than we do.

Several things describe the actions of our God:

• Draws us to Himself (John 6:44)
• Giver of new life ( 1 Cor. 3:6)
• Sender of disciples (Matt. 28:18–19)
• Desires all to be saved (1 Tim. 2:3–4)
• Diligent to convict (John 16:8)

Our compassionate God moves to action on behalf of His creation. Evangelism works because God orchestrates the whole process. Without God unbelievers would remain dead in sin, blinded, foolish, lost, and deceived.

The third role is you and me. God gives believers the privilege of partnering with Him in this eternal work.

Scriptures also describes believers:

• Saints; set aside for His specific work (Col. 1:2)
• Servants; sent by God to procliam the good news (Acts 16L17)
• Planters; called to plant the seed (1 Cor. 3:5)
• Waterers; watering the seed (1 Cor. 3:6)
• Witnesses; telling your eyewitness account (Acts 1:8)
• Discerning; wisely taking advantage of opportunities (Col. 4:5)
• Dependent; We bring Christ to the lost and God brings the lost to Christ (John 6:44)

When it comes to evangelism, we are not responsible for conversions. That is God’s job!

What a load off our shoulders. When we think it’s all our responsibility, we put pressure on ourselves that God never intended.

At the same time, we must remember that we do have a responsibiltiy—contact with unbelievers. God calls us to bring the gospel message to the children in our lives.

We are in a privileged partnership with God, and this perspective makes all the difference!

(This material was adapted from a blog post written for EvanTell.)