by Steve Wallace
Synopsis: Through sharing the good news of salvation with those who do not yet enjoy it, and reaching out to those who have strayed from the truth, we can save precious souls from spiritual death.
History testifies to the spread of the gospel in the first century as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. It further witnesses the results of the efforts of the restorers of the 1800s who, during one period, brought about the fastest growing religious movement in the United States. Things are much different today. Churches still have gospel meetings, and place pertinent tracts in their tract racks. Many place ads on Facebook, maintain web sites, use digital signs, set up booths at county fairs, and the like, attempting to reach the lost. All of these methods are commendable, but they cannot make up for what can be lacking among some of God's people today.
Personal evangelism of the kind commonly found among Christians of bygone years is sometimes absent among God's people today (Acts 8:26-39; 16:29-34; 18:24-26). There is a danger that saints (who pray and study their Bibles regularly are spiritually active at home and faithful in their attendance at services) may fail to show interest in the lost souls they encounter from day to day.
For preachers doing the work of an evangelist (2 Tim. 4:1-5), such neglect may include failing to follow up on contacts that come via members or as a result of visitors who attend worship services. They may accomplish much but have nothing in their weekly schedule dealing with personal evangelism. Some local churches may be fruitless in the area of personal work but satisfied with the fact that they have a preacher and perhaps are even supporting one in another work.
Materialism causes us to be more concerned about the things of this world than the souls of the lost (Matt. 19:16-22; 2 Tim. 4:10). When one seeks acceptance by men more than God's approval, he will neglect to talk to others about their lost state before God (Matt. 23:5; 6:1; John 12:42,43; Acts 10:35; 2 Cor. 5:9). When one fears man more than he fears God, he will seek to please men rather than try to bring them into a right relationship with God (1 Pet. 3:14-15; Matt. 10:28). The responsibility that new converts can bring may cause us to avoid seeking studies with the lost. If Peter had not preached to the Gentiles, it would have spared him and others the varied fallout that followed his efforts (Acts 11:1-17; 15:1-31; 1 Cor. 8-10). Lack of growth in Christ may cause one not to carry out his responsibilities to the lost (Heb 5:11-13). While other reasons could be given, this writer hopes that those listed above will stir the consciences that need stirring.
It was His mission "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). He desires that all would hear the gospel and be saved (Mark 16:15-16). This includes people that we regularly encounter. Let us carry out Jesus' will in our lives.
If you are in a congregation where personal evangelism is lacking, start making it a point to do what you can to reach the lost around you. In doing so, you join with the faithful of all generations in carrying out the "Great Commission" (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47). You are also setting an example for fellow Christians who may learn of your efforts. Remember, all can and should do their best in reaching out to the lost around us (Acts 8:4).
It seems this world is becoming more and more godless. Let us remember that, even in seemingly godless Athens, Paul found souls who hearkened to the gospel (Acts 17:34). Our Lord has called His people to be faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10). A crown of life in the home of the soul is worth more than anything this world can offer.
The following Barna stats are the result of responses from those referred to as "Christians" across the spectrum of the religious world. Nonetheless, they are encouraging.
…Among Christians who embraced Christ before their teen years, half were led to Christ by their parents, with another one in five led by some other friend or relative. Comparatively few accepted Jesus in response to a minister's personal prompting (7%)…Among people who accepted Christ when they were age 13 through 21, the process was much more diverse. One out of five credited a friend…
Adults who accepted Christ as their Savior generally responded to different stimuli than did younger people. The most common precipitant was a friend (19%)…
Will churches or individuals be blessed by the Lord, who died for the sins of the world, if they neglect the part that He gave them to play in spreading the news of His plan?
In writing to the Corinthians about his great concern for their response to his first letter, Paul included the following:
Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus, my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia (2 Cor. 2:12-13).
Paul had an opportunity to preach the gospel at Troas. That said, it is surprising to note that he did little or nothing in response to an opportunity that, under normal circumstances, he would have gladly accepted. He showed greater concern for the situation with the erring Christians at Corinth than he did with regards to the lost at Troas. Further, there were saints at Troas, and they could have responded to the open door there (Acts 20:6-7).
When we consider the various abilities and responsibilities of Paul, as well as other first-century saints, it would be a mistake to say that Christians should forsake all work in the kingdom for evangelism, whether personal or involving public preaching. There may be those who do less personal evangelism than others because of their efforts in other areas in service to Christ.
Brother Irven Himmel once wrote,
Openings for effective service come into every life. For example, the opportunity to teach someone the truth may come to a Christian at work, at school, in a home, while traveling, or in a variety of other circumstances. These occasions may never arise for anyone else in the exact manner that they come to one particular individual. These opportunities are either used or neglected (p. 1).
Therefore, let us heed the admonition of Paul, "But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another" (Gal. 6:4).
"Evangelism Is Most Effective Among Kids." 2004. Barna Group. October 11, 2004. https://www.barna.com/research/evangelism-is-most-effective-among-kids/.
Himmel, Irven. 1983. "Individual Effort." Truth Magazine, August 18, 1983.
Author Bio: Steve has worked with the church in Round Lake Beach, IL for four years. He and his wife, Mary, have been married thirty-four years. He can be reached at alvincarl1@att.net.
