Rando-Evango

This week I was freshly convicted of my lack of concern for the lost.  I have used many excuses not to witness, such as fear, inadequacy, and/or rejection.  The word evangelism can make some of us cringe. We’ve all heard the phrase, “Share the gospel, if necessary, use words.” Although I know that the way we live our lives will be different from the world and hopefully they will see a difference, at some point we absolutely must open our mouths.  Romans 10:14 says, “how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” If we live Godly lives we will win the respect of outsiders, but they will not know the Good News until we verbally share truth with them and this may mean sharing without being asked.  God desires that I do so much more than just live a Godly life.  Look at Jesus’, Peter’s, and Paul’s examples.  They were fearless and brutally honest with the good news.  Think about how the day the Lord drew you to Himself; was there someone who pointed you to Christ? My mom did that for me and I’m so thankful she not only lived out her faith but opened her mouth and shared what Jesus did on the cross for me.  The truth of the gospel is powerful when spoken.  Our words have the opportunity to bring life and our lack of words could keep others from eternal life with their Creator.  Unbelievers are blindfolded headed straight for a chasm. 

At the end of this week, all the students had a chance to be intentional in sharing the gospel.  Instead of having class, we all went into the community to share the love of Christ with others. Three Institute girls and I went to a local nursing home and sang Christmas carols and talked with several elderly women.  With Christmas right around the corner, we talked to the ladies about their favorite gift and then asked them if we could tell them about our favorite, most valuable gift, Jesus.  We had some really neat conversations with the women, individually and as a group.  I got to talk with one lady who said she had hope of going to heaven and I asked her how she was getting there and she said, “By obeying these people here.”  I got to share with her that salvation is through faith, not by works; that Christ came and did what we could not.  She said she understood but I am not sure how much she retained.  I am praying the Lord will use what I said in that conversation and many others and plant a hunger seed in their hearts and minds to know more about Jesus.  After we sang to them several songs, they were wheeled away to lunch.  We are planning on going back on a regular basis and I can not wait! Pray the Lord gives us words that they can understand and that the truth of His Word would pierce their hearts.  

 I learned this week, I will never save anyone.  Christ alone draws people to Himself and saves their souls.  I am a vessel that will either be willing or unwilling to share the love that Christ has given me.  The blindfold has been taken off my eyes and I know see the light and see others headed for eternal darkness.  As we live our busy lives day to day, stop and ask the Lord to empower us and give us divine appointments (not random...”rando-evango”) to share the gospel and how it has changed our lives.  I know He will be faithful in answering this pray; “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.