If evangelism is about all of life (as we saw yesterday), then evangelism is not a “one time event.” Evangelism never stops.
Just because someone “believes in Jesus” does not mean they have been “evangelized.” Again, if the Gospel is about how we live and act in all of life, then evangelism is also about how we live and act in all of life. Evangelism isn’t over with someone just because they believe in Jesus. Before a person got to that point, evangelism had been going on for a very long time, and will continue to go on for the rest of that person’s life.
You and I are Not Evangelized
Let me put it more bluntly. You and I are not yet evangelized. Sure, we may believe truths about the Gospel, but if the Gospel is about all of life, and seeing the rule and reign of God expand in our life, then we have not been fully evangelized until the rule and reign of God is complete in our lives, and that will never happen this side of eternity.
Maybe some terminology changes would help make this more clear. No Christian would ever think that they have completed the path of discipleship. Following Jesus in discipleship is a lifelong process. And, by the way, discipleship begins before we ever believe in Jesus. A person can follow Jesus, listen to His teachings, and be drawn after Him long before they ever believe in Him for eternal life. So also, discipleship continues throughout the life of a believer. We are to forever be learning more about Jesus and seeking to love and serve others like Jesus. That is what discipleship is all about.
Discipleship Never Stops
Think of evangelism the same way. If discipleship is a lifelong pursuit of the ways of Jesus, evangelism is a lifelong pursuit of the ways of the Gospel, or the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven. Just as you never fully arrive in discipleship, but the process always continues, so also, you never fully arrive with evangelism, but the process of living the ways of the Kingdom continues throughout all of life.
So do you want to do evangelism? Put down your bullhorn and your tracts. Forget what they taught you in your preaching course about the power of persuasive speech. Disregard all the tips and suggestions for engaging others in dialogue about the Gospel. Just begin by looking around to find someone to love.
I don’t know about you, but I am fully evangelized. How can you not know if you are evangelized or not?
William,
This post is part of a longer series in which I stated that “evangelism” is based on the word “gospel” which includes a call for changes in all areas of life.
So to be fully evangelized would be have fully and completely adopted the values and behaviors of the entire gospel. I don’t think anyone has done this on this side of eternity, except of course, for Jesus Christ.
So in this sense, I am not fully “gospelized.” (Is that a better term?) See this series:
Evangelism is Gospelism (Part 1)
Evangelism is Gospelism (Part 2)
Evangelism is Gospelism (Part 3)
Evangelism is Gospelism (Part 4)
Evangelism is Gospelism (Part 5)
Evangelism is Gospelism (Part 6)
We see this similarly. “Evangelism” as we understand it is something different than what often goes by that name.
I remember a tape (in the days before CD’s) I heard years ago. The speaker talked about convincing people to join his multi-level marketing business and “get saved”. One day, after wrapping up his business in a certain city, after he left his motel room he helped eighteen people get saved on the way to the airport, dozens more while waiting for the airplane and dozens more who were on the airplane. I believe he called that “evangelism”. (I might be combining two similar tapes I heard.)
Some of this “evangelism” took one or two minutes. He didn’t know the people and didn’t have time to get their contact info. He struck me as a very outgoing, convincing salesman who prided himself on how quickly he could “close” a sale.
I don’t think we’re “selling” Jesus. I see us as following Jesus, trying to live as Jesus did and showing that love to the people we come across. Deciding to follow Jesus may be a momentary decision for some, and a process for others, but following Jesus is a life-long “lifestyle” (maybe not the best word).
Now we don’t even use CDs! We use mp3s, now. What is next!?
Anyway, yes, much evangelism today sounds more like a MLM. Some groups even keep track of how many people they have “signed up” to their “downline.”
Yes, lifestyle may not be the best word. Do you have any alternative suggestions?
needful reminders.
Yet, if possible, do not damn us to perpetual immaturity in this age, or for the next. (Neither should regard those who are mature/complete as somehow superior to us.)
For all the Spirit has said regarding the mature man who is in Christ!
ref: Colossians 1:28; Philippians 3:15; Ephesians 4:11-14; James 1:4… Luke 17:10
“Damn” you?!? I don’t think Jeremy was intentionally “damning” anyone… maybe though, eh?
For all the references to maturing/maturity (etc.) we will never mature (come of age) enough to be just as Christ is Himself… for He is God Almighty!
He is the same yesterday, today and forever… the “I AM”, who was and is and evermore shall be. He and the Father are one, and we are (shall be?)made one in them.
We are (and evermore shall be?) being conformed/transformed into His image… but will we ever be completely? Remember that He is infinitely bigger (greater) than us… is He not? If not, then perhaps some “day” we shall be as great as Him… careful there; sounds too familiar.
So, I am content to say that I am a child of God (the Father), and even perhaps a brother of Christ. But I am fairly certain that I will always remain as a younger (less mature) brother!
As a “child”, won’t I always be somewhat child-like? I love to delight in this! So… “Damn” me!
Sorry, I’m so immature sometimes.
M.
Mark, surely you know Jesus of Nazareth also came into the world as a child; that He learned obedience just as do we.
[Hebrews 5]
Any younger sibling may feel as though he/she may never be a grownup such as the elder Son has done. Feeling that way doesn’t make it so; and so, our Father (with His FirstBorn) has gone to some length to call & assure each of His kids: be complete, mature, just as He is.
No, I don’t imagine that Jeremy intended to damn us. Errors assumed can seem innocuous or even true while implanting their distributed result.
Marshall,
Thank-you for your gracious response. Well put. I am enjoying maturing into our Father’s love and purpose for me… and I think I might “always” have that opportunity!
Your (younger?) brother,
Mark
Right. I didn’t intend to damn anyone. Just to point at, as you did, that discipleship and bringing out life into conformity to the gospel is a lifelong process.
with a little re-writing, and Jeremy’s process can be furnished…
“And be less conformed to this world; gradually more conformed to Christ by a process of your mind…”
[I Confusions 12:2]
Well, one thing I am certainly confused about it what you are trying to say…
Jeremy, men before us who worship their own minds have seated themselves to create “systematic theology” and other speculation. We would all do better to simply listen to what God is speaking and not allow His to be altered by our own thinking or experience.
brother Paul writes, “…but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.” Done deal. If it weren’t so; if you will be sanctified along a (lifelong) process, then would Paul have just lied to us by writing “you were”? Since faith is about agreeing with God, and not with our own experiences or limited understanding…
[I Corinthians 6:11]
Jesus is saying, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” Can we tell the difference between “make disciples” and getting people started along the path of being a disciple? Where are your eyes & ears? Let God be true, and all men as liars.
Marshall,
Quoting Scripture is one thing. Anyone can do that. Even Satan.
Understanding it is quite another. That is where theology comes in. Nobody thinks they are just making stuff up out of thin air, but believes they are accurately presenting the truth of God’s Word.
In your comment, you have presented a particular theological perspective which some hold to, but I do not. I 100% agree with those verses as well, but I understand them differently.