First of all, what is "passable" Christianity? There are among us those Christians who wish only to give the minimum possible to God. Prayer, church, and Bible reading are about as far as they are willing to go and even then, often only when it's convenient. There is no challenge among these Christians to grow in personal evangelism. Comments like the following are the accepted norm:
? "As long as I'm saved, I'm good to go,"
? "It's not necessary for me to personally evangelize because there are others with that gift,"
? "As long as people know I've been saved and go to church, I've evangelized. There's no need for me to verbally tell them anything,"
? "I'm not good at evangelism and it makes me uncomfortable, so it's obviously not my gift. I'll just have to find something else."
God never intended for us to have this "passable" mind-set! Though some believers have been given a special gift for evangelism, the rest of us still have a personal responsibility to evangelize. Throughout the Bible God gave specific instructions for every believer in the area of personal evangelism. Look at these verses:
? "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16 This verse doesn't say anything about only those who are gifted shining their light, but there is a command to let your light shine.
? Notice the attitude of Peter and John, "For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20 When anyone really comes to recognize what God has done for him or her, this will be the heart's attitude. Consider also what Paul said, "But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14 How will the lost understand what they call "religious" actions if they don't know anything about God, and we are unwilling to speak of our Redeemer?
? "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." Ephesians 4:15 All believers are given the non-optional command to speak, and grow!
? "Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season... always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." II Timothy 4:2,5 Given Timothy's timid personality, one would not expect him to be sent out as an evangelist, yet here we have Paul (inspired by God) telling him to share God's Word no matter what the circumstances. If God would expect it of one so timid, we can in no way consider ourselves left out of the command.
So, if you are one of the "passable" Christians, stop and ask yourself: Is "OK" good enough? If it is, it's time to step back and see what it is that God has done for you, and ask yourself why it's good enough for you, yet not good enough to share with the lost. Be challenged to take the next step in your relationship with God and pursue personal evangelism training so that you can share Him with a lost and dying world.
? "As long as I'm saved, I'm good to go,"
? "It's not necessary for me to personally evangelize because there are others with that gift,"
? "As long as people know I've been saved and go to church, I've evangelized. There's no need for me to verbally tell them anything,"
? "I'm not good at evangelism and it makes me uncomfortable, so it's obviously not my gift. I'll just have to find something else."
God never intended for us to have this "passable" mind-set! Though some believers have been given a special gift for evangelism, the rest of us still have a personal responsibility to evangelize. Throughout the Bible God gave specific instructions for every believer in the area of personal evangelism. Look at these verses:
? "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16 This verse doesn't say anything about only those who are gifted shining their light, but there is a command to let your light shine.
? Notice the attitude of Peter and John, "For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20 When anyone really comes to recognize what God has done for him or her, this will be the heart's attitude. Consider also what Paul said, "But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14 How will the lost understand what they call "religious" actions if they don't know anything about God, and we are unwilling to speak of our Redeemer?
? "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." Ephesians 4:15 All believers are given the non-optional command to speak, and grow!
? "Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season... always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." II Timothy 4:2,5 Given Timothy's timid personality, one would not expect him to be sent out as an evangelist, yet here we have Paul (inspired by God) telling him to share God's Word no matter what the circumstances. If God would expect it of one so timid, we can in no way consider ourselves left out of the command.
So, if you are one of the "passable" Christians, stop and ask yourself: Is "OK" good enough? If it is, it's time to step back and see what it is that God has done for you, and ask yourself why it's good enough for you, yet not good enough to share with the lost. Be challenged to take the next step in your relationship with God and pursue personal evangelism training so that you can share Him with a lost and dying world.
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