The title of this blog could also be – “You don’t have to know a drowning person to save their life.”
There has been an enormous emphasis placed on the need for relationship with people as the prerequisite for evangelism. So much so that some go as far as saying that relationship with others should be the only motive and not the hidden agenda of evangelism.
Relationship-Relationship-Relationship…This seems to be the word of the hour. I spoke to church planters who had not succeeded in their efforts to launch a ministry. As I dug deeper it became apparent that they made a lot of friends and very few disciples. In fact, they admitted, they rarely got to the Gospel. “We focused on building relationships first.”
So here’s the question: how soon should the Gospel be introduced in a relationship with someone?
Looking at the ministry of Jesus, many times He spoke directly to people in their first encounter.
- The woman at the well
- Nicodemus
- Legion – He cast the devil out of him during their first meeting. Jesus called people to follow Him with no relationship at all. (It doesn’t appear that He even had introduced Himself fully yet.)
Paul had a similar pattern in his witness.
He preached immediately after his salvation.
He was beaten and suffered as a result.
He confronted strangers in Athens, in Macedonia, in much of what was recorded in Acts.
I believe that the Gospel comes sooner in biblical examples of witness not later.
For me, the Gospel has actually produced authentic, lasting relationships with others.
Things to remember:
Preaching the Gospel takes boldness.
The Spirit must fill us with His passion and power. If we are honest, our reluctance to preach the Gospel may just be a case of being a man-pleaser or being ashamed of the Gospel.
Preaching produces persecution.
It’s much easier to say nothing. If the Apostles would have only done community service or waited on tables they would not have been persecuted as severely. If they hated Him they will hate us. We are an aroma of life to the saved and an aroma of death to those who are perishing.
Preaching the Gospel produces faith.
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. No preaching means no faith. In order for them to believe they are going to have to hear the Gospel.
I certainly believe building relationships is important.
Many times it takes a number of hearings of the Gospel to be saved. I also believe there is wisdom in knowing when we should speak to people about Christ and how we can maximize the impact of our witness.
Someone recently told me “We must earn the right to be heard.” As I pondered this statement, something didn’t sit right with me. As much as I tried to understand what he really meant I couldn’t help but think that according to the Scripture, Jesus earned that right for me as well. We preach in the authority and righteousness He earned through His life and death.
In fact, if a person’s eternal soul is at stake then we should have some sense of urgency in our efforts. Remember, you don’t have to know a drowning person to save their life.
