Evangelism…this is one of the touchier subjects in Christian churches. Our pastor has jumped in on a whole series on evangelism (a rarity to find anything more than one sermon), and all I have to say is “ROCK ON!!!!”
I was struck yesterday at an all too often comment that made me want to guffaw loudly. My reaction? Well, it stems from frustration, the cliche-ness of the statement, and…okay, personal attachment to the underlying sentiment. (By the way, this was not spoken by our pastor).
Well, I just think the best evangelism we can have is to live a good Christian life for everyone to see.
WRONG!! This is not evangelism…okay, okay, I don’t want to spend the rest of this post trying to define and nuance all the terms related to evangelism. Because, yes, this can be a very real and quite valid part of evangelism as a whole process. But you know what, me just living a “good Christian life” never got any saved by itself!!! At some point, by some person, in some way, there must be a presentation of the Gospel!
And so, as I sat pondering this statement, one that I am far too familar with…I’ve used it myself…though I knew that it wasn’t true…I wondered if it stems from bad orthodoxy or bad orthopraxy (orthodoxy refers to correct belief, orthopraxy refers to correct practice or behavior as a result of belief). I think I’ve concluded that it is really bad orthopraxy. In general, most Christians know that evangelism requires more than living “a good Christian life.” The problem is, we don’t want to actually have to share the Gospel, so we cop-out by saying we’re no good at it…there are others “gifted” in evangelism so we’ll let them do it…and we’ll do our part by living with good Christian behavior. Umm, no. Sorry, that doesn’t cut it…but nice try! 
At some point, by some person, in some way, evangelism requires that the good news of Jesus Christ be told/shared/explained/preached/etc. God has not ordained for a specific behavior by which people will say, “Oh! Jesus Christ is Lord and I can be saved only through faith by believing in Him!” Nope, it is by the proclamation of the Gospel, which might indeed be given a hearing by your “good Christian life.” By all means, lets definitely live correctly…but let’s not stop there!!
[...] My son wrote about another misconception voiced yesterday. [...]
[...] My son wrote about another misconception voiced yesterday. [...]