Will W. Houghton wrote the beautiful lyrics to the hymn that always makes of us think of evangelism: “Lead me to some soul today; O teach me, Lord, just what to say; Friends of mine are lost in sin, And cannot find their way. Few there are who seem to care, And few there are who pray; Melt my heart and fill my life: Give me one soul today.”
Do you have a friend who’s lost in sin? Do you care? What are you doing about it? This beautiful “prayer” song has some suggestions about our responsibilities in the matter of soul-saving. Evangelizing (announcing the good tidings) is the responsibility of every Christian, not just that of “evangelist.” Each of us, in our own way, must reach those who are lost in sin. We must know that unless they’re reached with the gospel of Christ, they’ll be lost eternally.
Do you pray, “Father, lead me to some soul today?” When the door has been opened, what do you do about it? Are you afraid that you will say the wrong thing so you just say nothing at all?
Pray that you’ll say the right thing, because saying nothing at all is the wrong thing. Study frequently so that you’re familiar with the Scriptures. Therein are the teachings you need and the answer lost men need. I’ve been a Christian many years, and an evangelist a big part of that time, and there’s four consistent lies that Christians believe about evangelism — and it destroys their efforts.
First, Christians think the Bible is hard to talk about, but is it though? Peter said that in 2 Peter 3:11-18. Yes, some elements in Scripture are hard to understand. But that’s talking about people who twist difficult passages to match their opinion. The Bible itself isn’t hard to talk about: Narratives, prayer, blessings, favorite verses, etc. You know enough. The evangelist’s job is to ensure you know enough (Ephesians 4:10-16).
Second, Christians believe that most people won’t respond, but should that stop you? Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14 that many will go through the broad gate. Why? Because it’s easier. If you use that as an excuse, are you any better? Romans 10:14 says, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” The point is not that I’m held responsible for their outcome. I’m held responsible if I don’t teach them. People are dying in their sins because people won’t try!
Third, Christians believe that their example is the only way to evangelize. However, it’s not. I hear lots of people say their example is evangelism (1 Peter 3:1-4, 13-16). These verses in 1 Peter are unique (wives/persecution). The principle applies, but distinctness is shown. It doesn’t negate going out and teaching. Jesus told us, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you …” (Matthew 28:19-20). What you’re effectively saying is that instead of Jesus saying “Go,” He just said, “Be a good example.”
Fourth, Christians believe that evangelism has to be confrontational — as if other topics aren’t? Paul’s persecutions make us think it’s always rough. We miss all the times it wasn’t. It’s not as much for us. Name one town you’ve been run out of. Paul was stoned in Iconium (Acts 14:19-20), but he received a different response in Athens (Acts 17:32-34). Yes, some of them didn’t believe, but there were others who followed him. Moreover, confrontation isn’t a dealbreaker. A lot of times, people have strong opinions, but remember what evangelism is: Telling people, not forcing them (Matthew 10:24-39).
If we don’t teach the gospel to a dying world, who will? It doesn’t take long to look around in our churches to realize that there’s a grave problem in not converting people and saving their souls. Because of this neglect, most churches don’t have much of a future. God gave the privilege to save people to those who make up His kingdom. We can’t blame the denominational world for failure to present the true gospel to men. God never commissioned them to this end. Only His children are to blame if the world isn’t evangelized. We can have the same spirit of evangelization that permeated the first century church: “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).
Yes, pray, “Lord, lead me to some soul today … Melt my heart and fill my life: Give me one soul today.”
Adapted from Leroy Sedgwick