Our approach to Personal Evangelism
We have reached week four of our month of Mission which is about "Reaching" - a focus on personal evangelism.One important question in the Bible, with regards to the followers of Jesus Christ is "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? (Mt.7:3) This is more than a million-dollar question which leads us to our today's devotion entitled:
Our approach to Personal Evangelism
We are talking of "Personal Evangelism" which at times can be referred to as "one to one" or "personal work". This approach to evangelism is when one Christian evangelizes to one non-Christian or a few non-Christians, in a private manner.
| But have reverence for Christ in your hearts, and honor Him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you (1Peter3:15) |
In this single verse, there are two main important things which GOD is communicating with us today:
- A "Self Check"
A "Self-check" is about checking oneself in terms of one's stand with God. It's about having an introspective look inside of oneself to see where one is standing in terms of being sanctified in the heart as well as honoring GOD. This is what GOD says, through apostle Peter "But have reverence for Christ in your hearts, and honor Him as Lord" The question is, "How can one have a "self-check"?".A "self-check" is done by allowing GOD to search our heart or mind, and if there is any evil found in us, then we let Him guide us or lead us in the way of everlasting, as we see in Psalm 139:23-24. Meaning, our approach to personal evangelism must first start with us -- examining ourselves - thereafter we can now move to...
- "Checking others"
In "checking others", we must put on the "lenses" of GOD. When we see other people through the "lenses" of GOD, then we will love them with the unconditional love of GOD, regardless of their; gender, race, status, background etc.This unconditional love will enable us to be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks us to explain the hope we have. "Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you."
In conclusion, our approach to personal evangelism must be twofold, that is; "Self-Check" and "Checking others".
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By Lazarus Chirwa, husband to Alice, father of Faith, Florence, Favour, Felicity and Felicia and Minister in Charge of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Kitwe, Zambia
