Why it Matters that We Evangelize

Now that you know HOW to share the Gospel with others, let’s talk about WHY we share the Gospel with others. (If you missed the post on How to Evangelize, check it out here.)

Mark 16:15 CSB “Then He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”

Jesus commands it.

Honestly this is the only reason we need right here. Jesus clearly commands it in Mark 16:15. 

I’m sure you see the word “preach” used in this verse and immediately assume it can’t be for you since you aren’t a pastor or preacher. Well, guess what? The Greek word for “preach” that we see here is more literally translated as “proclaim”.  And we can all proclaim, which is just stating something publicly. You are stating in public that Jesus is real and that He saves people from sin.

This verse also says that we should be sharing this news with “all creation.” So I need to proclaim Jesus to my silly dogs? Maybe not, but they do make great guinea pigs to practice conversations with! Share it with every human created regardless of culture, location, language, age, gender, education level, disability, political party, social status. Every person that was created in the image of God. 

It’s how we love others.

A second reason we should evangelize is to love others!

When you love your spouse or child, do you hope they will get into an inexplicable accident and be harmed? NO! (if you said yes, we have other things to discuss.)

Jesus commands us to love God and love others. (Matthew 22:37-39) We love others when we want what is best for them. What is better than the news that God sent Jesus to save us from our sin? He came to save us from the eternal punishment of death because of our sin that we deserve!!

While hell is a real place where people really will go if they do not know Jesus and accept Him as their personal Savior, is this the only reason we want to evangelize? No. 

There are so many other added benefits to living with a personal relationship with Christ. 

There is the peace that passes all understanding that is talked about in Philippians 4:7. This is one of my favorite benefits to having a relationship with Christ. Our world is crazy and so many things can go wrong and cause us to be stressed, BUT Jesus can give us the peace that calms all of those anxious feelings. 

There is the joining with God’s family that is talked about in Ephesians 2:19. All earthly families have struggles. God’s family may also have struggles but we have the opportunity to love more “brothers and sisters” and build each other up.

We get to have eternity with God! If this one doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will. How long is eternity? Forever and ever and ever! That’s how long we will get to spend with our beloved Father, Creator, Savior, Friend. As an added bonus, we will spend this eternity alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ (remember that family I mentioned before?). For me this also means eternity with my mom and dad, who were believers when they were on this earth and who I miss incredibly. As silly as it may sound, this is sometimes a huge selling point for people to want to know more about Christ.

Another wonderful benefit is the knowing that Someone knows you completely in and out, and yet still loves you enough to die for you. Even our closest friends, spouses, family members cannot know us better than we know ourselves and truly and wholeheartedly love us. That is reserved only for God. 

Most importantly, we should evangelize because we love God.

Matthew 22:37-38 says: ‘He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command.”’ 

We love God by sharing all we can about Him. We want to brag about Him. Just like we would our bestie or a beloved child. Yet bragging on God is even better. Why wouldn’t we want to tell others about all the awesome things He has done for us? 

Common excuses

Is evangelizing out of my comfort zone- for sure! Is it awkward? Yep. Can it even be scary? Sometimes. But so is trying a new restaurant. So is starting a new job or visiting a new doctor. But do the risks outweigh the benefits? Absolutely!

Try starting by simply living your life like you really have been changed by the blood of Jesus. Don’t participate in or go to places that could lead others to think you aren’t a genuine disciple. Engulf yourself in the Bible and time with God so your thoughts and actions reflect Him. When your friends are engaging in inappropriate conversations, excuse yourself. When people recognize something is different about you, they may start the conversation and ask you why you are different. This is a less intimidating way to start the evangelism conversation.

Honestly, I prefer to build the relationship before I evangelize. This means getting to know the waitress at the restaurant I may frequent before I invite her to church or ask to pray for her. This means telling people “I will be in prayer for…” after they stress a need in their life. When you have that relationship and others can sense your genuineness, they are typically more willing to listen when you want to tell them about Jesus.

Another common excuse I hear about not wanting to evangelize is “I just don’t know enough.” That’s easy- so learn! Practice the methods that Mel shared. Learn about the Bible and figure out answers to common questions. 1 Peter 3:15 says that we should “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” But we also have to be willing to tell someone “I don't know but I can find the answer to that question and get back to you.” Or if their questions are ones that you struggle with, too, be honest and tell them. Honesty is the best policy. 

We are all commanded to share the Gospel of Jesus- the Good News of His coming, living, dying, and resurrection- with every human in creation. Not only do we do this because we are told to, but because we want to love God and show love to our friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family. 

My challenge for you today is a tough one. Find at least one person that you can tell about Jesus. If that truly intimidates you, maybe that person is your closest friend who already has a relationship with Jesus. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will be with the uncomfortableness of evangelizing.