I’ve realized that I often have the wrong mindset and attitude when I share the gospel with people. It is easy for me to look at it as trying to get someone to believe the same thing that I do or trying to get them to agree with me. The purpose in evangelism is much greater than this though.

The apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:9:

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.

Every Christian has been brought into marvelous light so that we may proclaim the excellencies of the one who called us out of darkness.

Peter goes on in 1 Peter 3:15 to say:

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

Every Christian is to be ready to make a defense to anyone who asks us for a reason for the hope that is in us. The hope that we receive from Christ. This defense, though, is to be done with gentleness and respect.

While talking to somebody about my faith, I am not superior to them. I am not better than them. I am a beggar. I have nothing and am nothing. Christ has given me everything. I am nothing without him. What I am offering is an explanation of what I have been given and an introduction to the one who has given it.

People who aren’t Christians aren’t people who don’t share my beliefs. They are lost souls. They don’t have Jesus, they don’t have eternal life, and they are living in darkness. Evangelism is not to change someone’s beliefs or worldview. It is to change their eternal destiny. It is to point them to the only one who can truly satisfy. Evangelism is proclaiming the excellencies of the one who has called me out of darkness into marvelous light! Oh how good you are sovereign Lord!

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