It's interesting to me that neither Jesus nor the apostles ever spent time trying to teach Christians how to "evangelize" anyone. At some point in many a Christian's life there is a moment that arrives in which he realizes he has no "fruit". He's told in a devotional or Sunday School class or from the pulpit that this is part of being a Christian, so he takes inventory of his fruit and recognizes that basket is empty. Some people, even after 40 years of claiming Christ to be their savior and Lord have never, not once, faithfully shared their faith. So, maybe they sign up for a class on evangelism or they read through some material or a book or maybe they make an appointment with someone they know who shares their faith regularly to glean the secrets and methodology for winning a soul to Jesus. The box must get checked. The basket must not remain empty!!!
This morning I was reading Matthew 19 and this subject came up again. Jesus is approached by a wealthy man who asks the most amazing question - how can I get to heaven? Imagine that - he has just asked His creator how to spend eternity with him. but Jesus' answer wasn't textbook, in fact, it was a little disappointing and anti-climactic. Maybe Jesus didn't take the "Just Walk Across the Room" study. He didn't attempt to build a deep friendship, but rather offended the man by telling him his biggest problem - his sinful pride of possessions. For salvation to be real there is a price - make God first in your life. God not only doesn't want our scraps, He demands to be first. The Lord of heaven and earth and everything in it has told us that following him in true repentance will have a cost - our very life will be required of us. We must give up ourselves to follow Him. Notice that He didn't beg this rich guy to change his mind. I wonder what that man went away thinking about. Did he lay awake in bed thinking he'd like to be saved but then continue to stay away, knowing what the cost would be? I wonder.
The discernment that Jesus exercised that day was profound, but He gave us the same opportunity when He left us the Holy Spirit. Will I depend on Him for passion to speak boldly?
Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. The passionate church since the beginning has shared its faith without pause, without reservation and sometimes to its detriment (in the flesh anyway). They took no classes. They needed no formula. Why do I? Maybe it's not in my heart.....
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