One of the Biggest Deterrents to Personal Evangelism

Recently, I published a book titled Words in Season: On Sharing the Hope that is Within Us. It is an introduction
to sharing the good news of Christ that was birthed out of a Sunday school series.
The book not only focuses on our individual privilege to witness of the person
and work of Jesus but it also emphasizes the centrality of the local church.
You can read more about it here.

In chapter 3, I focus on some of the common hindrances to
personal evangelism. There are ethnic and cultural barriers; sometimes we
wonder if our Bible knowledge is adequate; we are, perhaps, overly concerned
about our reputation; we don’t want to lose friends; we are nervous. I believe,
in time, these concerns can be reduced or completely overcome. However, one of
the biggest deterrents, which I only briefly mentioned elsewhere in the book,
is one that is difficult to overcome. We cannot eliminate it. We cannot reduce
it; it is there when you go to sleep; it is there when you awake; no matter
where you go, it always follows you–time.

I’ve sometimes remarked the older I get, the faster time seems to move. Yet that is exactly
what is required for personal evangelism, which is the very thing that it seems
we often do not have–time. Our
schedules are packed with many so-called obligations–children’s sports
activities, church meetings, personal hobbies and interests, writing blogs or other literature, spending
time on Facebook, employment, sermon preparation, family vacation, education. With
our massive to-do lists, where is the time to share Jesus Christ and him
crucified?

It takes time to talk to others about Jesus. It
takes more time to invite these people, with whom you share Christ, into your
life so that they might see the realities of your faith (Col. 4:5-6).

Although time seems to move faster the older we get, we can
change. We can be more aware of this great privilege to talk about Christ and
invite others into our lives. It is much like our finances. Once we realize we
are overspending in a certain area, we rearrange our budget to more accurately
reflect what is important to us. Similarly, if sharing the good news of Christ
and inviting unbelievers in to your life is important, you will rearrange your busy
schedule in order to accommodate those priorities.

Jesus spent time w/ people; he entered their homes; he
walked with them; he talked with them; he repeatedly answered their concerns
and objections. I do not believe the point of the Gospels is help us calculate the
amount of time Christ spent with unbelievers so that we might enumerate how much we should spend with them;
nevertheless, the point is clear–Christ spent time with unbelievers. We should, too.

However, be mindful. There is a popularized phrase floating around
called, “Friendship evangelism.” The emphasis is on building relationships with
unbelievers as a means to share Christ with them. (That is my understanding).
This is dangerous. First, while it a fantastic idea to erect relationships with
unbelievers, if we are developing those relationships for the expressed purpose
to share the gospel, the friendship is simply a means to an end. We do not
really care about them. We are not in awe that they are made in the image and
after the likeness of God. We are simply befriending them to reduce our fears.
Our underlying purpose in developing a friendship with unbelievers is to soften
the impact of that initial conversation about religious matters.  

Is that true friendship?

This is one of the reasons I share the gospel with
unbelievers almost as soon as I meet them. That way, when the topic is
approached in the future, it is no surprise. There are instances, though, when
we cannot share the gospel immediately. Providence seems to prohibit it. In
that case, what do we do?

Chapter 8 in Words in
Season is titled, “Hospitality: “One-Anothering” with the Stranger.” It
provides some practical tips on spending time with your unbelieving neighbors
and those in the broader community.

God can save people immediately. He has done it in the past
and he will continue to do so. However, there are times when he chooses to plant
seeds over an extended period of time. It may take months, even years–it
requires time. Are you willing to
spend the time it takes to befriend
unbelievers, plant the seed of the gospel, answer their concerns, and invite them to church? You may
have to rearrange your schedule, but it is more than worth it.

“But you are a chosen
race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that
you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into
his marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9).