“I believe the Christian who is not cultivating and manifesting an evangelistic spirit is in a deplorable condition. I believe, too, that the assembly that is not cultivating and manifesting an evangelistic spirit is in a dead state” (C. H. Mackintosh).
These words were written well over one hundred years ago, but they are as true today as when they were written. How needful it is that we keep the gospel before us and be earnest in giving it out! Yet in these days of spiritual decline, especially in relatively affluent countries, we may well ask, “How are we to give out the gospel in an effective way?” Sad to say, there has been a turning away from the respect and attention that God’s Word once commanded, and it is not easy to get people to listen to the gospel. The “cares and riches and pleasures of this life” (Luke 8:14) have taken their toll, and Satan has used these things all too well to keep people from thinking about eternal matters. On the one hand, we should not be surprised at this, for the Lord has told us in His Word that this would happen in the last days. On the other hand, earnest believers who love and want to reach out to lost souls are sometimes puzzled as to how to do it.
Understanding the Times
The days are past when those who had a heart for the gospel could simply announce a gospel meeting and have people flock in to listen. It is rare that people will respond to such an invitation. Likewise, methods that were used effectively in years gone by, such as street preaching, are not practical today in many parts of the world. The pleasures and diversions available to children have made it difficult even to get them to come to Sunday school. In view of this attitude in much of the world today, it is easy to give up and fall back on God’s sovereignty, trusting that He will work in hearts to save them without our intervention. This is a wrong and regrettable attitude. His work will be done, no doubt, but we will lose the privilege of serving Him and of bearing the reproach of the world as we speak of Christ in the place where He has been rejected. What then is the solution?
Primarily an Individual Work
First of all, we need to recognize that Scripture presents evangelizing primarily as an individual work, not an assembly responsibility. No doubt more than one can share the exercise, and it is a good thing if all of the individuals in an assembly have a care for lost souls. It is nice to see a gospel testimony connected, if possible, with the place where the assembly meets. However, it is a mistake to feel that having an announced gospel meeting every week “meets the criteria” and that we have now fulfilled our responsibility. There is no question that saints are refreshed and encouraged by hearing the gospel, even if no lost souls are present. Often a deeper understanding of the truth of the gospel is gained in this way, especially by younger ones. However, the gospel is properly to “the regions beyond,” and while this includes foreign fields, it also means that we should continually be seeking to reach those in our own area who have not heard. Since it is an individual exercise, all should feel the responsibility and burden, and be before the Lord as to what to do.
Appealing to the Flesh
When there is little interest in the things of God, there may be a tendency to attract people by human means. The constant use of such things as worldly music, dramatizing Scripture by play acting, and other appeals to nature tend to weaken the authority and power of the Word of God. Yet we must realize that in the case of young people and children, many today have not been disciplined to concentrate or even to read properly, and thus they find it difficult to pay attention for any significant period of time while God’s Word is read and applied. When conducting a Sunday school where the Lord has sent in neighborhood children, it is good to present the gospel on their level. In such cases it is often helpful to give them something to do with their hands, perhaps a craft related to the message or a good object lesson, so that there is a visual connection to the message that is presented. Rather than being detrimental to those children attending from Christian homes, it should, with the Lord’s help, give them a heart to reach out to others their own age with the good news.
Today’s Children and Young People
Many young people and children today are thoroughly bored with life, are neglected by parents who are too busy for them, and long for something to do. A “hobby class” with various crafts — such as painting plaster plaques, doing leather work, and woodworking — can be used effectively. Others with the energy to do it have rented a gymnasium for the evening and played games, and then served refreshments afterward and had a gospel message. Children who will not come to Sunday school will often come to a “gym night” or a “hobby class” and hear the gospel. Of course, all these things entail a tremendous amount of preparation beforehand, and some expense too. But the results are well worth it.
As well, the lives of young people and children today are often lacking in that most important ingredient—love. In many cases homes have been broken by divorce, and children are the victims. They long for love and stability in their lives and will respond to those who will take the time to provide it, even on a part-time basis. Their view of God’s love is often somewhat dependent on what they have experienced of natural love, and this we can give them. May we take the time to do it!
Today’s Adults
In the case of adults, someone has remarked that the “shotgun” approach to souls in the past must give way to a “rifle” approach today. While this may not be totally true, nevertheless, it is a fact that most that are saved today are saved by a personal contact rather than by hearing a preached message. Let us have an evangelistic spirit about us at all times. Let us carry a supply of gospel tracts with us and “be instant in season, out of season” (2 Tim. 4:2). If we have a heart for souls, the Lord will open up opportunities in those with whom we come in contact at work, school, restaurants, banks, gas stations, and wherever else we are.
The Regions Beyond
Finally, let us not forget about “the regions beyond.” Travel and communication are easier today than they ever were before, and there are many parts of the world that desperately need the gospel. It is true that foreign missionaries, particularly from the West, are not welcome in many countries today. Native workers are often more effective and accepted. However, the Lord has given those in Western countries the means and often the spiritual teaching to enable them to be of much help, even if it is by occasional visits and encouragement. May the Lord give us a “world view” of His work! Let us be ready to endure a little hardship and encourage the work of the Lord in parts of the world that need it.
We are living at the end of the dispensation of grace, and it would not be spiritual intelligence to expect to see the revivals that God has given at times in the past. However, there are probably more souls being saved today, as to numbers, than ever before. Let us be exercised to have a part in it!
W. J. Prost