Anyone But MeSample

Prayerful—Being Frank

Part of being well-prepared is having answers to questions and objections that may arise from the world’s misunderstandings. Keep in mind that our goal isn’t to win an argument but to gently guide the hopeless and helpless to safety. The Bible reminds us that humanity is sitting in the valley of the shadow of death (Luke 1:79).

Yet there is a rock in the valley of the shadow of death on which light shines through the dark clouds. On this rock, mercy rejoices over judgment. Those who come to the rock of God’s mercy are no longer under the shadow of His wrath. The darkness cannot overcome the light. Life conquered death!

This reality should make us run toward unbelievers, eager for them to share in our victory. But in our ignorant zeal, we can sometimes cause damage to the gospel. We must remember that without God’s help, we can do nothing. All of our pleadings are nothing but dead words if the Holy Spirit doesn’t bring them to life. 

We pray before we present the gospel, we are prayerful while we speak, and we pray after we conclude, because we know that salvation is of the Lord. Every time we open our mouths for the kingdom of God, we are exercising trust—faith that God will take our words and drive them home to the sinner’s conscience. Again, if that doesn’t happen, nothing happens. We have merely had a conversation with someone about heaven and hell.

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin. We don’t do that. Jesus said in John 16:9 that the Holy Spirit would convict the world “of sin, because they do not believe in Me." We can only show sinners the gravity of their sins. We are to simply preach the gospel. 

To be an effective evangelist, we’ve engaged the importance of being loving, obedient, decisive, prepared, truthful, faithful, and prayerful. You have been introduced to practical ways to live out these qualities and develop the personal character and integrity needed to confidently and joyfully bring the Gospel message to others.

In John 1, John the Baptist responded to the intense scrutiny of the Pharisees. Each question was essentially asking for a reason for the hope that John had within him, and he answered them without hesitation. John never said, “Anyone but me.” He was always ready. May we be the same.

Are you ready to declare to others as John did that the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world has come?

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