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How do we show Christ to others?
By Pastor Fred Greco | November 14, 2006
I was thinking about evangelism a bit this evening, as I sat in a conversation (on an unrelated matter). Just what is evangelism? Can we “master it”? How do we know when we are “doing it”? Often I am afraid that we (I) have the view that evangelism is about memorizing Biblical passages (for the more we have memorized, the less we have to be Procrustean* in our use of them), being unafraid to approach complete strangers, and the like. For that reason, it can be easy to say to ourselves: “I don’t have the gift of evangelism. I think I’ll just invite someone to speak to the pastor about that.”
But in reality, the Bible tells us that life is full of many wonderful opportunities to tell others of the good news of the gospel. The Apostle Peter, who was a man of very poor words and lived with his foot in his mouth before Pentecost (see for example Mark 8:32; Mark 9:5) calls us to live out the gospel in our daily lives, providing opportunity with our actions for words to find fertile ground - “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:12)
Then I came across this post by Rev. Phil Ryken on the Reformation 21 (run by my friend and dear teacher Derek Thomas) and I was floored. Did you ever think that the ministry of Christ Church, or your own witness, could be so severely impaired by something as trivial as how much of a tip you left at a restaurant, or how you responded to food that was brought to you? What about how you wait in line at the dry cleaners? Or at the airport? On one level I think we all understand our theology that reminds us that God is omniscient and sees all things. Yet at the same time, I think we ignore the fact that others see a great deal as well.
Something to think about this week.
*Procustean: using an artificial standard with no flexibility. It comes from the ancient Greek myth of Procrusteus, who has a bed of a certain size. He would capture travelers and make them fit the bed - either by stretching the short or cutting short the tall.
Topics: Evangelism |
November 14th, 2006 at 11:46 am
Pastor John Carroll
This is an excellent point. Everyone should read the link you put on your blog.
Our three daughters, when they were students, all worked as servers in restaurants. It was common knowledge that Christians and non-drinkers are poor tippers (there are other groups that are also profiled this way, but that is of little comfort).
The Lord commands us to “Let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.
It is a good thing to know the Scripture so that as we have opportunity we can “give a reason for the hope that is in us… with gentleness and respect…” (I Peter 3:15-16). I certainly wouldn’t want to be Procrustean. Jesus was always fresh and creative in His dealings with people.
November 14th, 2006 at 1:26 pm
This comment goes to the heart of what I’ve said and will continue to say: “It is our duty to let the world see our works, that our Father in heaven might be glorified”.
First:
We start with our witness for our family (hint- this is the really tough one!)
Second:
We show our brothers and sisters our witness for the Lord (hint#2- this is not for “Sunday’s Only”)
Third:
We have to get to know our neighbors, co-workers and those we just happen to meet (most times breifly)at a gas pump, store ck-out line, etc… and “show” them our witness for our Lord.
Our witness is not just being able to “tell” other about Christ with our personal lips and vocal cords. The most powerful witness you and I have is our LIFE!!!
This is where the church of Jesus Christ has fallen down the most. We’re good church goer’s and generally stay in line. But for some reason this generations of “Christians” is struggling to learn God’s Word so that it is “written on their hearts, so that they may not sin against their God”. We’re struggling to find time to make a difference in each others live in a way that causes us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”. Yet we fill our “other” time with things that will fade away. Where is the balance??? This is what I struggle to maintain at home, at church, in this life.
Its doesn’t surprise me why the “church is not being added to daily” here in America. We lack the substance that those many generations before us had. We need to somehow figure out how we as Christians fit in this world in which we live, in this country of ours, before we find ourselves not having to worry about being a witness.
Daryl