Talking to God About People, Part 2 April 15, 2013
Sharing the good news about Jesus does not begin in thepresence of lost people. It begins in the presence of God, with our prayers.Paul asked his friends: “Pray for us that God may open a door for our message,so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” (Col 4:3-4)
It’s important to note that evangelism is talking aboutJesus, not necessarily about what Jesus has done for you. Notice how Paul phrasesit: “Pray… that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ.” It’s sharing the storyabout what happened to Him, not what happened to you. Your changed life is awonderful thing and it can be useful in sharing Christ with others, but onlythe news about Jesus explains what your changed life is all about and howexactly it happened.
Admittedly, it’s not always a message people want tohear. In fact, when Paul shared it, they tossed him in jail (v3). But that’sOK, because it’s not a failure if they refuse to listen or if they get angry. Failureis when we don’t share the gospel at all. Our job is to share Christ; God’sjob is to open blind eyes.
But what if we mess it up? What if we can’t answertheir questions? That’s covered in Paul’s other request: “Pray that I mayproclaim it clearly” (v4). Here’s where we get God’s help to make sure we don’tbotch the chances He brings our way.
Note carefully our responsibility: to make the messageclear. Not to save them. Not even to persuade them. Just to explain it to them.So often I mistake my responsibility in evangelism as using my “extensivepowers” of intellect and persuasion to convince and change my friend. What isGod doing? He’s standing back as a gentleman, quietly waiting for thisindividual to invite God into his life. But that’s exactly backward! I amsupposed to be the gentleman, politely making clear this life-changing news.And then I stand back while God uses His extensive powers to convict and changethe sinner. God wants sinners saved! He will help you because He is eager forHis gospel to be known!
So here’s a set of prayer requests that will serve youwell: God-given opportunities to share, the strength to take them when theycome, and the ability to make the message clear.