Observe:
"This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." ~1 John 3:10
"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season...keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist" ~2 Timothy 4:1-2,5
It should not be new for you to hear that anybody who doesn't love their brother doesn't love God. This truth is everwhere in the Bible. Jesus said that the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. So again, this shouldn't be anything new that I am saying. Love your neighbor, we all already know this.
But here is the great inconsistancy I see between our words and our actions. We say we love our neighbor, but way too many Christians very rarely, if ever, share their faith. Can we really say that we love our neighbor if we are unwilling to share with them the key to eternal life and the only way to escape eternal judgement? Some may read these words and say to themselves that "evangelism is not my gift." I am sorry to say that I find that excuse unacceptable. This would be similar to myself saying that I refuse to do the dishes because "acts of service is not my gift." If we truely believe that Jesus is the only way to eternal life than we can no longer justify not sharing this message on a regular basis. I included the above scripture from Timothy to show us that evangelism is everyone's responsibility.
I understand, it is scary. I do believe evangelism is my gift and yet I still get butterflies in my stomach every single time I am about to share the gospel with someone. It is scary because, if we do it correctly, it requires great humility. Perhaps even the kind of humility that Jesus felt when he washed the disciples feet.
I will go one step further. I am hearing about movements for Christ that are happening all over the world. Yet I am also aware that such movements are rare in America. In many parts of the world people break laws and risk their lives to share the gospel, and in many of those places the gospel is flourishing! But here in America we are freely allowed to share the gospel, yet so many remain silent. Could this be why God is not pouring out revivial on us in the same way that others are receiving it? This may be nothing more than disobedience on our part. Will God bless the disobediant church?
The hardest part is often finding a way to bring it up. This is what works best for me: Simply saying "Can I share something personal with you?" This is respectful because you are asking permission. That is just my approach. As you do this more you will find ways that work best for you.
I believe there can be a 3rd great awakening. I really do.
With His love,
Charlie
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