Lifestyle Evangelism is . . . Gospel Dissemination.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3:15-16 ).

Christ’s command is that we are always ready to give an account, a reason, for the hope that is in us. Are you ready to tell someone about your hope for eternal life in heaven given to you by faith in Christ Jesus? Notice that Peter does not say, “If your gift is evangelism, be ready to give a reason . . . .” He simply says, “Be ready,” and “Do this with gentleness and respect . . . .” Some people think they are too quiet or shy to be evangelists. Peter indicates that they, the quiet and shy people, are the ones who make the best evangelists.

On the other hand, Matthew 10:19-20 tells us that we are not to worry about what we will say, “Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” This Scripture adds to what Peter says in that, not only are we to be ready to give a reason, but we are not to worry because the Holy Spirit will speak the reason through us. For most Lutherans, that expectation sounds scary, but actually it is a great feeling for the Holy Spirit to speak through one. Through our daily devotions and Bible study, worship, and Sunday School classes, we fill our minds with the words the Holy Spirit uses to speak through us. Therefore, these things are very important.

And one more thing. We do not have to worry about messing up or thinking we might mess up, because we know that it is the Holy Spirit, not we, who is doing the work. God’s strength is shown in our weakness. To quote Stephen C. Stohlmann from Concordia, St. Paul, Minnesota; “God’s grace is so wonderful that He takes our imperfections, our stuttering tongues, or poor, bad, and negative witnesses, our blunders and more through our mistakes than through our success does He communicate the Gospel to our sin filled world. It does not matter how bad WE mess up God can and does use it for good. We are to never be ashamed of the Gospel, nor of our poor witness, because we know that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.”

Be a part of Bible Class so that you might fill up with all the good “stuff” the Holy Spirit will use to speak the Gospel through you. To God always be the glory.

43 of 52 © Rev. Ronald A. Bogs