There's an awkwardness when I come to blog now. I'm in the process of changing and trying to incorporate something into my lifestyle. Its something that I have been trying to do for years but so far it hasn't been successful. I'm talking about evangelism.

I've never been the type who would go up to strangers and start talking openly about Christ. There are people who can do it and I marvel at them. My mind cannot comprehend how they are able to speak with such authority and boldness. I seem to come up with more reasons why they shouldn't accept Christ instead. Thats my problem, see? Again, I try to reason out Salvation logically. There's no way to reason it out!

I think the problem I'm experiencing is that subconsciously, I'm making it my responsibility to convert the people I'm speaking to. Same with when I lay hands on people to be healed. Its like I'm trying to heal them or change them. Many of us are familiar with the verse in Romans 1:16.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

We often heard it said that we should not be ashamed of the Gospel but don't you think that it is weird that there is anything to be ashamed of at all? Why are we ashamed? When we look at the verse in Paul's context, we can see that he had reason to be ashamed! Persecution, ridicule from fellow Jews. Christianity was viewed as second rate. But in this day and age, in our multi-racial society of Singapore. What is there to be ashamed of? The Gospel or Good News is the Power of God to salvation. We should be proud of it!

Lets look at how Paul utilised this power in his ministry in the previous verse.
Romans 1:15
So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

We simply preach or to put it in a less threatening word, we speak of the Gospel. We don't have to spice it up or dilute it to "suit" the audience.
Romans 1:17
For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed...

The Gospel. I so often have a hunger to see people coming to God. I long for the honor of being part of the miracle of 'Spiritual Rebirth'. But sometimes there are hindrances. Sometimes I feel as if I don't have the ability or the right to speak the gospel. But that right is given to every believer. So what other excuse can we give for not doing more?

God's righteousness is revealed when we speak. The pressure should not be on us to make our words powerful. The Gospel IS the Power of God! If we are truly convinced of what salvation means to us, then that alone is enough to speak of it to others. What is this fear that stops us from sharing? Is it personality? Our environment or society? Our upbringing? Culture?
This challenges me in my spirit. Do I really really REALLY know Christ? Isn't Jesus greater than all we lack? Do we need to script out the wonder of God's grace and mercy? I've all but started praying for God to bring me souls. I know what a heavy responsibility it is. I know if I simply ask for the opportunity to evangelise, God will be faithful and create them. But asking for opportunities means being able to step out of your personality and obeying Him. It may mean looking foolish for Him. Am I radical enough?

I want to be able to come to a point in life where I can look back and say, "I think I made a difference, I think I made an impact in people's lives."
Where people would exclaim that it MUST have been God working in my life. It is not possible that you did it on your own. Of course, one must ALWAYS be wary not to fall into the trap where you're striving for the honor and recognition of being used by God rather than simply being the instrument.

Patience and Perserverance, Daryl