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The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to humankind. Incomprehensibly, God loves us and wants to reveal Himself to us, that everyone might know Him by faith. This is not a New Testament concept. When the LORD called Abraham as the progenitor of the nation of Israel, He promised Abraham that in Abraham all families of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3b). The Promised Land was strategically located on a trade route, bringing non-Israelite travelers through on a regular basis, giving them an opportunity to hear about the one God, Yahweh. The LORD also provided for sojourners in Israelite territory that they might experience the goodness of God: The rest of the Sabbath applied to them as well as to the Israelites (Exodus 20:10); the Law applied to Israelites and sojourners alike (Exodus 9:14); and the prophet Ezekiel chastised the people for oppressing sojourners among them (Ezekiel 22:29). Our God wants all people to know His goodness as well as His greatness….
The theme continues and expands in the New Testament. Jesus proclaims that believers are both salt (Matthew 5:13) and light (Matthew 5:14-16). We are to join John the Baptist in proclaiming that the kingdom of God is at hand! And just before the resurrected Christ returns to heaven, He gives His disciples the Great Commission: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20).
We are to be about our Lord’s business, proclaiming the Gospel to unbelievers. It is our privilege to do so. But it is not always clear how to fulfill this calling. Pastor Jame has called us to prayer, for the Lord to identify and lead us to nonbelievers who He is drawing to Himself. This is an excellent approach! But it doesn’t have to be our exclusive way to proclaim the Gospel….
One of my favorite movie lines, from Ocean’s Eleven, describes a foundational theme of the film: “There is always someone watching.” Like it or not, this is a very true statement even outside of Hollywood. While we may not be intentionally watched, our words and actions, and even our expressions and attitudes, are noticed. The way we treat others and respond under stress can make a big impression. Jesus teaches His disciples this principle even before He gives them the Great Commission: Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16.
The lifestyle approach to evangelism, as I have coined it, is not as focused and intentional as the more direct, intentional approach. But it can be just as demanding if not more so. We need to consider ourselves in “evangelism mode” whenever and wherever we are out and about. And if we are to be prepared to manifest the Lord in any place and at any time, we must be prayerfully welcoming and nurturing the Lord’s sanctifying work in us with every breath. We cannot manifest the Lord without Him! Trying to fake the fruits of the Spirit will be counterproductive for those with whom we come in contact; and worse, it will tempt us to think that we can become who the Lord has created and called us to be by our own wisdom and strength. But if we surrender to His ways of working within us, we will become increasingly able both to know and to share His goodness and grace. As the Light of the world shines within us, we will become beacons of hope in our desperately needy world.
