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Mission

Why We Can't Stop Talking About Missions

As followers of Jesus, we have been saved both from something and for something. We’ve been saved from the power of sin and eternal separation from God and we’ve been saved for telling others the good news, also known as evangelism. Our responsibility to share the gospel began the moment we accepted salvation. Still, it has somehow become a widely-accepted belief that evangelism is reserved only for those who claim it as their life’s calling. But that could not be further from the truth. There are certainly those who choose vocational mission work as a way of life, and thank God! The gospel couldn’t reach as many people without them! Even so, minimizing evangelism to a calling meant for only a few special believers means that we are attempting to exempt ourselves from the responsibility sharing the gospel carries. When we have a correct view of sharing the gospel, commit to it as a spiritual discipline, and shift our perspective of what it can look like, we can stop seeing evangelism as something to fear and see it more like a gift to be treasured and used.

Evangelism is a gift.

For those who find the very thought of talking to people about Jesus intimidating, evangelism may not seem like the gift that it is. Luke 19 tells a story of the religious leaders of Jesus’s time (aka the Pharisees, aka Jesus’s sworn enemies) trying to silence a crowd of His followers who were praising Him as He rode into the city. Jesus responded to the Pharisees saying, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.” (Luke 19:40) The stones?? Jesus could literally use rocks to bring glory to Himself, but He chooses to use us. He loves us so much that He allows us to be a part of bringing Heaven to earth one salvation at a time. If We truly believe the gospel is good news, and if we truly believe in its power to change all people, then we have no choice but to view it as a gift.

Evangelism is a spiritual discipline.

Picture this. You’re at the starting line of the Boston Marathon. You and your best friend signed up months ago as something “fun” to do together. The morning arrived quicker than you thought and life has been crazy ever since you signed up. You’ve only been on three *light* jogs, you’ve been on a steady diet of hot cheetos and coke, and you’re wearing an old t-shirt and sweatpants from 8th grade gym. Your best friend, however, has been running every morning before work, eating a balanced diet, and has shown up in the cutest Lululemon running set you’ve ever seen. You both still have the ability to run, but she’s more prepared and will obviously be performing better than you.

The only thing you need to share the gospel is salvation, just like the only thing you need to run is an able body. But just like your best friend who prepared before the race, in order to share the gospel often and with confidence, you have to put in the work. The work looks like staying in the Word to be prepared to give a reason for the hope we have (1 Pet. 3:15). The work looks like praying for obedience to share the gospel when an opportunity comes our way (Matt. 9:37–38). And the work looks like committing to discipleship with other believers to learn as much as we can (2 Tim. 2:15). As we grow in our discipline, the Lord will grow our desire to share the Gospel.

Evangelism is more than you think.

Growing up, I was taught very specific forms of evangelism that included a rigid script and all sorts of religious pamphlets. Both have their merit, but they turned me into someone fearful of sharing the gospel because I was fearful of not knowing what to say. Luke 12:11-12 says, “…don’t worry about how you should defend yourselves or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that very hour what must be said.” We may not know the complete “Romans Road ” method with all corresponding Scripture, but we know the story of what He’s done in our lives (Isa. 12:4). Evangelism is sharing why we have hope and peace in a world where most people don’t. Evangelism is also living in a way that’s glorifying to the Lord (Matt. 5:15–16) and loving one another (John 13:35). We can proclaim the gospel with both our words and our actions just so long as we proclaim it.

Salvation is a gift from Jesus, but He didn’t mean for us to keep it for ourselves. Jesus wants as many people as possible to know Him and love Him. That’s why evangelism isn’t just about saving people from hell; it’s about bringing them into relationship with the Someone who will change their lives forever. Living on mission is not a calling for a select few; it means sharing the gospel whenever and wherever we can because we have been so changed ourselves.

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Alyssa Lewis is a Nashville area native, enneagram enthusiast (super basic, she knows), and huge advocate of mental health. She has been serving in girls ministry for several years and it is her heart’s desire to work with young women in a vocational ministry capacity in the future. She is passionate about seeing young women grow from a basic knowledge of the Lord to a genuine love for Him and active pursuit of relationship with Him. Alyssa loves any time spent with friends, singing at the top of her lungs, and eating ice cream—preferably Jeni’s. Connect with Alyssa: Instagram