Love Them Til They Ask You Why…

Evangelism Isn’t Something to Fear…It’s Something to Live

Many Christians have shied away from evangelism because they have mistakenly believed that it was all about introducing the idea of Jesus Christ as our personal savior. This is true, in part…but if you think about evangelism, it brings with it a certain amount of anxiety and awkwardness to most individuals. So, to avoid actual contact with others, many have resorted to leaving tracts in public restrooms and wearing Christian t-shirts. Now, before you feel that I’m condemning your t-shirt collection or your evangelistic efforts–hear me out.

What if there was an altogether different way to share your faith, that had nothing to do with religion or anxiety. What if I were to introduce the idea that God isn’t nearly as concerned with us telling people what a friend they have in Jesus as He is concerned with us showing others what a friend they have in us.

Reading the book of Thessalonians, you can clearly see that Paul believed in lifestyle evangelism.

“For our preaching of the glad tidings (the Gospel) came to you not only in word, but also in its own inherent power and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction and absolute certainty [on our part]. You know what kind of men we proved [ourselves] to be among you for your good.  And you [set yourselves to] become imitators of us and of the Lord Himself.” ~1 Thessalonians 1:5-6  THE MESSAGE

Reading through 1 Thessalonians, we are reading a love story. God’s love for Paul overwhelmed him and it soon spilled over onto the Thessalonians, and then to the Macedonians. Paul showed his love by developing real and lasting relationships. He was contagious. He loved them til they asked him why.

Jesus also told us to love our neighbors, not evangelize them. How do we develop this type of fire and enthusiasm that causes unconditional love for others? By developing our own relationship with God.

By spending time with Him and allowing His love to overtake us, true evangelism will become a way of life. Instead of awkward, anxious moments we will begin to cultivate relationships, pray for others, listen to their concerns and become someone to rely on in times of need. Evangelism then becomes simple. It’s just “who we are” and “what we do.”

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” ~ Galatians 2:20 KJV

People don’t really care how much you know, until they know how much you care. Generally, individuals are resistant to being told how to live or what they are doing wrong. When you try to evangelize with methods or arguments over the word, it just doesn’t work. It only puts people on the defensive.

Paul tells us, “But now I show you a more excellent way…” and then goes on to say,

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

…Love never fails.” ~1 Corinthians 13

People see the Light when they feel the love. It is God’s loving kindness and tender mercies that bring us to repentance.

The one thing that every person is vulnerable to is love. Love never fails. Love will water the parched soil of people’s lives. Again, we were never commanded to evangelize our neighbors; only to love them. Love them til they ask us why. God will do the rest, and He’s very, very good at it.