A Special Note: Nothing consumes me like the subject of evangelism, and it’s my passion to see the Church of the 21st Century looking and acting like the Church of the 1st Century. Every corner they turned, they preached the message of everlasting life. They cared for nothing but the salvation of the lost. The contemporary Church is concerned more with itself than with the lost. So from now on this blog will be an on-going attempt to equip Christians to effectively share their faith. I hope you find it helpful.
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Evangelism: As Exciting as a Root Canal
It was Charles Spurgeon who said that evangelism was an “irksome task.” If something is irksome it’s“annoying; irritating; tiresome.” The evangelistic burden is a stone in the shoe that won’t let us relax and enjoy our Christian walk. It means embracing a lifestyle that demands the awkwardness of having to talk to people about a subject that makes both parties feel uncomfortable. The message of the Bible is a big heavy and wet blanket on the world’s sinful pleasures. It therefore elicits rejection, mockery, can destroy lifelong friendships, and make your own family turn on you. Jesus warned that you could even be killed by people who think that they are doing God a favor, when they kill you.
So who in his right mind should have anything to do with this irksome task? To answer that important question, let’s look at Charles Spurgeon’s full quote:
"We must school and train ourselves to deal personally with the unconverted. We must not excuse ourselves, but force ourselves to the irksome task until it becomes easy."
Is he kidding--“Until it becomes easy”? If I may be so bold as to change the Prince of Preacher’s words slightly, it may be helpful. I know that there are certain things I can do to make the task easier, but it never becomes easy for most of us. Spurgeon had a way with words that few of us have, but that’s not an excuse to excuse ourselves from the task.
To be continued.
