Commonly Tolerated Sins: Neglecting Evangelism

By Jason Helopoulos

Reprinted From the May 2023 Issue of Tabletalk Magazine Published By Ligonier Ministries

Evangelism. As soon as we say the word, most of us begin to cringe. Guilt creeps in, our shoulders ache, and our spirits sink. That isn’t necessarily a bad reaction. In some regard, it’s right to feel this way. Almost every single one of us could serve better as an evangelist. Too many of us neglect evangelism altogether. In fact, it is a far too easily accommodated sin by far too many Christians.

Let’s think about evangelism a little differently, however. Evangelism is not, as we so often think, a weight, a burden, or a box that we need to check. Nor is it a merit badge that we must earn. It’s a gift. Maybe the greatest surprise of the kingdom of Christ is this: that He chooses to extend His kingdom through us. He ministers to people by people.

It seems rather silly. He is the King of all and could employ anything or nothing. And yet He chooses to use us. In part, it is a kindness directed toward us. He grants His people the great privilege and honor of laboring for that which lasts for all eternity. That is a gift. Do you want your life to have meaning? Then invest in what lasts. Labor for the kingdom is eternal.

Frankly, I think most of us make it much harder than it needs to be. Evangelism is nothing more than speaking of the One we know and love. If you know Christ, you know enough to share Christ.