What is the last show, song, movie, or book that you HAD to tell someone about? Sharing the things we love with the people we love is one the best parts of the human experience. There is little better than seeing someone else feel the same joy you did. If someone shows you something new that you love you feel seen and understood. They’ve tapped into something that is deeper than your preferences.
Hopefully, this is our goal when we share the good news of Jesus with other people. We are sharing something that we love and is important to us. And we do it in the hope that they will experience God the same way we do. It’s okay that evangelism can sometimes feel scary. You are taking a vulnerable position and can fear rejection, but that is when we remember that this is God’s calling on all our lives. We share the truth we have in our hearts because we want the people we love to have the joy and comfort that we do.
Jesus, in Matthew 28:19-20, gives us what is called the Great Commission. “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus doesn’t say, “just tell your best friends,” or “tell anyone who you think deserves it.” Jesus commands us to tell ALL nations.
The best part of this is that their response isn’t up to you. When you share the truth of the Gospel you can’t make anyone believe. As one pastor put it, “you can’t argue anyone into heaven.” Our job is just to open the invitation. Let them know what God has done in your life. Demonstrate the truth about what you believe with your life.
Show love, show kindness, help the people around you.