DO YOU LIE ON JESUS WHEN YOU EVANGELIZE?

September 25, 2015

 

I am afraid that we have lied on Jesus more times than we realize.  We offer a package and an approach that He does not endorse.  We go to great lengths to manipulate people to come to church to “accept” Jesus.  But what happens when we can’t keep up the show?  What happens when we get tired of chasing people down and coming up with great programs to distract them from what they really want to do, which is SIN!

When I read the word through the proper lens I get to see Jesus for who He really is, in His power and His simplicity.  Jesus knew all that He had to offer…life and that more abundantly (John 10:10).  Because of this He was confident and knew that He didn’t have to sell Himself to anyone.  No gimmicks, no lies, no half-truths.  He had no great sales pitch because He is the word made flesh which makes Him enough…more than!  He is the beginning and the end, the first and the last and everything in between.  He gave it to them straight.

He did this to expose their hearts and to chase away those that were only there for a show, not for true surrender.

So as I comb through scripture and I get to know Jesus, it makes me take a hard look at how I evangelize.  Do I invite people to church, leading the conversation with all the programs we may have to pacify their children, and make the parents comfortable or do I shoot it straight.  Do I tell them this is the best decision they will ever make but they must be willing to count the cost?  Do I tell them that once they put their hands to the plow and if they look back they are not fit for the kingdom (Luke 9:62)? Do I tell them that they will suffer because they accept Christ, but to be encouraged because if they suffer for Him they will also reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12)?  Do I tell them the truth, do I tell them about Jesus?  No this approach is not harsh, it is love on full display.  Knowing that if they accept this truth it sets them free (John 8:32) and offers a peace that is beyond human understanding (Philippians 4:7)!

No longer should we be paralyzed if they don’t want Jesus. And for the record, He never tells us to go chase down those who really don’t want Him. Remember what He told the 12 disciples in Luke 9:5 when He first sent them out? The truth of God’s word is a sure repellant to those who don’t mean business with God.  If we get people to “come” to Jesus on a faulty foundation and lies they will not have a lasting relationship which is counterproductive, don’t you think?  May we be freed from looking “successful” to the world.  My God may we hunger for souls that are set on fire!  Even if it is only ten of them in the pews!

So I want to encourage you to take a hard look at how you evangelize. Do you find yourself dumbing down God’s standards in an effort to first get them in?  This is a worldly approach, one that is not endorsed by Jesus.  Come on brothers and sisters, let us go out in love, telling the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth and may God help us to do just that!  As we do this, watch God bring in those that are really hungry for Him!  We have work to do, and our job is to help bring in true laborers into the kingdom to set this world on fire for our God.  How about it?  Are you on board to return to true evangelism?

 

 

photo by:
Anika Jones

About the Author

Anika Jones

Anika Jones is a speaker and author of the book Lessons Learned Along The Way: A 40 Day Devotional. She blogs about faith and family at LivingForLater.com and posts weekly videos on her YouTube channels, Living For Later (@livingforlater) and Living Life Now (@livinglifenow). Anika loves speaking about developing intimacy with God and understanding who we are in Christ. She serves alongside her husband in ministry. They live in Illinois with their 6 children.