This article is part of the 5 Myths series.
Myth #1: Evangelism is something I do myself.
The call to carry out the Great Commission feels heavy when we picture ourselves alone, laboring away to share good news. Anything in the Christian life feels heavy if I’m envisioning a rough road and myself walking along it by myself.
Stories from fellow travelers help light up the landscape. Stories, for example, of those who are reaching from Christ’s body outward—those who invite neighbors to a church Bible study group and who see those neighbors and their families gradually transformed by the gospel; those who host international students in their home, regularly bring them to church, and see some of them believe in Jesus; women whose brothers and sisters in Christ’s body have prayed for years with them for their husbands to come to faith. Interwoven through these stories are the hospitality and prayers of God’s people—specific prayers for the salvation of those they name together in God’s presence.
As a redeemed people, we bear witness to the good news that Jesus died on the cross, bore our sin, and rose from the grave, conquering death. Believing this good news makes us part of a body that lives and moves together toward seeing Jesus. We don’t do this evangelism thing alone.
Better to picture a road full of people walking together, sort of like we picture the Israelites walking up to the Jerusalem temple at feast time—whole groups and families, talking and singing and taking in others along the way. We’re God’s people. This is all God’s work. By his Spirit, God calls people to himself and gives them new life through faith in Christ. Those who have believed get to participate. He uses us. He uses us. Read More
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