So….after posting earlier this week, I have been praying a bunch. Based off of posts from others in response, I thought that I needed more guidance. I felt that there had to be a right answer to the question of which approach of evangelism is correct. I thought I had the right answer, then I went to church today to confirm it with some people that I love and respect.
I was really convicted through the sermon today. It was all about trying to control situations yourself. Even if someone feels they’re backed into a corner, the idea is to put your trust in God and let Him do things through you. So many times, people, including myself, try to get control without seeking to find out what God wants you to do.
The same is true in this situation. Having seen both sides of the fence, and hearing others' strong convictions of those sides, I felt there was one true answer. That answer was people are inclined to either relationships or the intentionality and urgency of sharing with as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. I felt I was inclined to only build relationships and share the Gospel that way.
The truth is, I was trying to control what I wanted to do, not what the Spirit was leading me to. Each situation and each person requires something different. Taking the advantage to talk someone on a plane, going door to door, or evangelizing through a relationship all depends on the situation and what God is leading you to do through His Spirit.
We try and put God in a box and into our own perspectives by saying one or the other is the true way to do it. Truth is, God works His will in His way. We cannot understand it nor can we put it in our human sized box. This means that with every opportunity, we should pray for guidance and follow what the Spirit leads us to do. It also means stepping outside of our comfort zone and making sure we do not ignore His guidance.
Neither side is right or wrong in this area. The problem is, we think that there is a side. Placing ourselves on one side or the other makes us wrong and tries to put us in control of God’s will. Pray for the Spirit to lead as I will, and ask God to take control of your life. The Bible shows us over and over that when we try to control things, we lose. Releasing control of all aspects of our life, including how we share the Gospel is key to the heart of the discussion of my earlier post.
Thanks so much for your comments, I hope this makes sense, and God bless. Go share the Gospel and listen to what God has to say, not yourself.
