Evangelism: Follow Jesus预览

‘A Forceful Remedy To Worry’.

This sounds like a bit of a downer, but it IS day 4, and we’re almost through. We didn’t want to sugar-coat all of this evangelism. But the thing is here, that we shouldn’t be surprised if things get tough, if there is sometimes even persecution. God’s not surprised by it. In fact, it seems like sometimes He sets it up. Why? So that we have ‘the opportunity to testify of Me before them and the unbelievers.’

It seems that from this, our approach should be to anticipate divine appointments, that every social interaction can be a divine appointment. We do well to presume that everyone we run into needs to get saved, unless and until they demonstrate otherwise.

The thing is, when we are agents of Jesus, we aren’t victims, even if, from the world’s perspective, we might be on the receiving end of mistreatment. We don’t’ get caught flat-footed; we lean into situations. We aren’t spectators; we are in the ‘game’. Things don’t happen to us; we initiate change.

And Jesus counsels us, “Don’t worry.”

And He promises us, “The Holy Spirit will give you at that very moment words to speak.” That’s not necessarily grounds for being unprepared, reason not to be fasted up, or excuse to be slack in your spiritual exercises. But it IS an implicit reminder that we are not alone, that Holy Spirit is with us, and that Holy Spirit is ready and active in our engagement. And as we call this truth to mind, it is a forceful remedy to worry.

Takeaway for us? Let’s be active co-workers with Christ, seeing situations from a divine perspective, and listening for the Holy Spirit’s active support.