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Evangelism. As soon as we say the word, most of us begin to cringe. Guilt creeps in, our shoulders ache, and our spirits sink. That isn’t necessarily a bad reaction. In some regard, it’s right to feel this way. Almost every single one of us could serve better as an evangelist. Too many of us neglect evangelism altogether. In fact, it is a far too easily accommodated sin by far too many Christians.
Let’s think about evangelism a little differently, however. Evangelism is not, as we so often think, a weight, a burden, or a box that we need to check. Nor is it a merit badge that we must earn. It’s a gift. Maybe the greatest surprise of the kingdom of Christ is this: that He chooses to extend His kingdom through us. He ministers to people by people.
It seems rather silly. He is the King of all and could employ anything or nothing. And yet He chooses to use us. In part, it is a kindness directed toward us. He grants His people the great privilege and honor of laboring for that which lasts for all eternity. That is a gift. Do you want your life to have meaning? Then invest in what lasts. Labor for the kingdom is eternal.
Frankly, I think most of us make it much harder than it needs to be. Evangelism is nothing more than speaking of the One we know and love. If you know Christ, you know enough to share Christ.
If this world is all that there is, then focus on politics, food, drink, vacations, money, sports, and having our best body now. But if there is more to come, then we must live in light of the more to come and desire others to live this way as well. In fact, we love our neighbors by evangelizing. As Christians, we care about all suffering, but especially eternal suffering. We care about all sin, but especially the sin of unbelief. We care about all life, but especially eternal life. Making disciples matters to each of us because it truly matters forever.
Maybe we hesitate because we think there remains so much to learn. If you feel as though you have much to learn of Christ, then welcome to the club called “discipleship.” A disciple is by nature a learner. The moment we come to saving faith, we enroll in the school of Christ. It is a lifelong school from which there is no graduation. But also recognize that when we enter the school of Christ, we enter not only as a student but also as a teacher. If we know Christ, we know enough to share Christ.
Jesus gives this commission to all the disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples” (Matt. 28:18–20). Not to those with perfect faith—because there are none. Nor did He give it only to those with the greatest faith. Neither did He simply charge those with the most mature faith to make disciples. All are to go and make disciples.
When the disciples went out as evangelists, they did not go with academic degrees, wealth, prestige, armies, or political power to assist them. Christ simply sent them out with His Spirit and His Word. And from that little band of disciples, the faith spread to the ends of the earth. If you know Christ, you know enough to share Christ.