The Christian’s purpose is unavoidably centered around evangelism. We are saved by Jesus and sent by Jesus to proclaim repentance and salvation in Jesus. This is a sign of true conversion. Before we knew Christ, we spent our lives for ourselves in vain, but now, since being saved, we spend our lives for Christ, using all that we have to the lifting up of Jesus. This is our primary purpose, command, and calling. Even in a time like this pandemic with restrictions and social distancing, evangelism is not placed on pause. We must be faithful to evangelize because it is so important, especially today.
Jesus Himself exemplified evangelism. Is this not the reason He came to earth, to reveal and fulfill the gospel? During dangerous times Jesus spoke the message of God (Luke 4:43). Apostle Paul also was not deterred by the danger and threat of the world, even having to run away from the mobs at one point, but he kept working diligently (Acts 9:23-25;14:22). It is through ‘many tribulations’ a Christian enters the kingdom of God. If as a Christian, you want to live a easy life now, then keep silent. However, we seek the future reward and must be faithful in dangerous times as others have done also.
Why we must evangelize?
John the Baptist preached repentance, even pointing out the sin of Herod, who had married his brother’s wife. It was adultery and incest. What’s behind John the Baptist’s passion and continual energy for preaching repentance? Those three things are the gospel, sin’s existence, and John’s calling.
The gospel
The gospel John the Baptist was incomplete, yet it was still good news which told of two things, the baptism of repentance and the coming baptism of Jesus. Through John’s message the people would be ready for the true gospel in Jesus Christ by learning about their sin and need of the Messiah.
The gospel is the good news because it tells of eternal life. Even though the Christian may die, they do not face the judgement for their sin, but pass from death into life (John 5:24). A Christian doesn’t die but falls asleep. Even a vaccine, a healthy body, wealth or whatever measure on earth cannot prevent death. They might extend your life temporarily, but they cannot give eternal life as Jesus does (John 11:25-26). The gospel of Jesus Christ, that He died on the cross for the atonement of your sin, rose again on the third day, is the truth you must believe for eternal life. Only by believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ can you be saved! As a Christian where else can we go? We cannot leave the cross, otherwise we would perish. The gospel is the ground on which we remain.
Those without the gospel respond with fear. Look at how they are reacting to the COVID-19 virus. God responds to man’s problems with love (John 3:16). He has given His Son as the solution, so that we will not die, but have eternal life. Since God has shown His love, we must respond with repentance (Acts 17:30-31). The gospel is what this world needs so we must preach Jesus. It is true, they don’t want to hear the gospel because they are blinded by their sin. Their unwillingness should not deter us because we know only by the gospel they can be saved so have to tell them.
Sin’s existence
John spoke against Herod and his sin. It didn’t matter that Herod was the ruler, sin is real and dangerous. Sin is not a mistake but a transgression of God’s holy law and nature. A. W. Pink illustrates how horrible sin is, saying Jesus came, “not as a judge, but as a benefactor, going about doing good, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, proclaiming the gospel. Did that melt their hearts and win them to God? No, they hated and crucified Him.” God’s goodness never stopped, He has always been faithful, yet they crucified Him. This is proof of sin’s existence and the dark reality of sin.
John preached repentance against Herod to stop Herod’s increasing sin. Without repenting, our sin will continue to grow. No one expected Adolf Hitler as a child would grow up to massacre over six million Jews. Hitler’s sins grew. And sin will not stop on its own. Herod also added to his sin by imprisoning John. Ultimately, he practiced unbelief by refusing to repent after John’s rebuking.
Christian’s cannot be quiet because of sin’s existence. They are the salt of earth whose purpose is to reveal sin’s presence in the world and tell them to repent and believe in Christ (Matthew 5:13). If we avoid evangelism and live silently, then we are not salty anymore and become useless. By our silence, we ignore sin’s existence.
John’s calling
John preached to Herod multiple times and continually told Herod to repent of his sin (Matthew 14:5, Mark 6:20). John the Baptist preached because he knew his calling by God which was given to him at his birth (Luke 1:13-16). He preached and preached again and again simply because he was called to do so. Apostle Paul also knew his calling to testify about the Lord Jesus (Acts 20:24). Do you know your calling? Or do you believe you are here by your own decision? If you are here by yourself, then unfortunately you will leave the faith by yourself. But if you are here by God’s calling, then it compels and commands us to stay true (Romans 8:29-30). Every Christian is planned by God and we are sent (Ephesians 2:10, John 10:27). If you are called, then the circumstances don’t matter, we will follow the call. The future is unknown and sometimes risky, however we are not controlled by our fear, but we can go forward knowing our God has called us, is with us and is in control (Revelation 4:10-11). Therefore it is crucial for us to be faithful every day. We fail to bear fruit because we are not faithful daily.
Conclusion
Remember the gospel, the good news, by only which we are saved, remember sin’s existence and the necessity for repentance, and our calling from God which God has sovereignly ordained. These three things should drive us to speak and evangelize to the world. The Lord warns us in Ezekiel 3:8 to those who remain silent, the blood of the sinner will be on our hands.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
Leave a comment