All of us have heard sermons admonishing us to be faithful in fulfilling the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20). Because of our failure to do so, we often soothe our consciences by financially supporting preacher training schools or missionaries overseas. While these are truly noble endeavors, it does not excuse our roles as individual to be personally involved in winning new converts to Christ. Others may say they live a good moral life in front of friends and co-workers and that is enough. While it is commendable to live such a life, this alone will not save the lost. Personal evangelism means opening our mouths and distinctively expressing to others what they must do to be saved. Yet, how often do we fail to show the way to others. Perhaps we even cringe when someone ask us a Bible question. Remember Peter said, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to gibe an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). Why do we often fail to heed this divine admonition? Here are some possible reasons:
- Fear of Embarrassment. Nothing can bring more pain to an individual than being embarrassed. Many times, because we fail to study, we cannot provide adequate Bible answers to questions that might arise. For this reason Paul exhorted Timothy: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15). Sometimes we may be embarrassed to admit we are Christians. If this be the case, we need to personally self-examine our hearts, John warns us to “love not the world” (1 John 2:15); and the Lord Jesus said, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 10:33).
- ment. Most everyone wants to be liked by others. As a result, we often tend to avoid confrontation. Yet the Bible is clear, Christianity is confrontational. Jesus did not seek strife, but He was not afraid of it, as evidenced when He drove the money changers from the temple (Matt. 21:12). Some have avoided confrontation by declaring we are just to love others. Often what is meant by this statement is we should tolerate error and evil. Again, her the apostle Peter: “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified” (1 Peter 4:14
- People are not interested. Too often we take up upon ourselves to judge whether or not someone would be interested in the gospel. While we live in an increasingly indifferent and apathetic world, we still have the command to take the gospel to the lost. Jesus did not say to only to those who are interested. Our job is to plant and water, God will give the increase (1 Cor. 3:6). I have heard Christian young people express disdain when someone disreputable from school is invited to a church activity. Such an individual is the one most in need of our love and teaching. I am so glad our Lord did not give up on Saul of Tarsus, the great persecutor who became the great preacher.
- We are not converted ourselves. One other reason we may not be involved in personal evangelism is we simply fail to see the need. Perhaps we are not certain those outside of Christ are really lost. This may stem from our own lack of conversion. Remember Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat” (Matt. 7:13). How sad it will be that some individuals will be lost because we did not see the need of sharing the gospel with them.
Indeed, personal evangelism is essential for the church to grow and for souls to be saved. Do not lack confidence in the message of the cross, nor make rash judgments concerning the souls of others. Remember Jesus’ words: “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few” (Matt. 9:37). None of us want to hear the words contained in the chorus of the following song, written by James Rowe: “You met me day by day and knew I was astray, yet never mentioned him to me.” Paul admonished, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the word of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). A major part of this work is personal evangelism.
