Personal Reflections on Mission and Evangelism

A few years ago I attended a seminar on “Christianity under Persecution”. The presenter was an American pastor who had spent 14 years in Egypt. To my utter disappointment his presentation mostly consisted of pictures depicting various architectural designs of churches in Egypt. Later he started talking about how as Christians we should contribute to the society so that people can see what a role we can play. His idea of contribution consisted of helping the needy, feeding the poor and the like. Nothing, not even a single word about the gospel!

So during Q and A, I said the following: “I agree that all those activities are important and sometimes necessary but a Buddhist can do those very things, A Hindu, a Muslim, even an atheist can do those things. In fact many charities of the world are funded by atheists. Won’t you agree that the unique contribution that Christians can make is sharing the gospel?” He (with the help of the moderator) evaded my question and basically said “are you saying we should not help the poor?”

So I waited till the session was over and approached him and said: “Sir, I never denied the importance of those activities. I just was trying to point out that anyone can do those things. But sharing the gospel is the most important thing of all and that can only be done by Christians!” He said: “you are right but that is dangerous!!!!!!!!”

So much for a seminar on Christianity under “persecution”!

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. I have seen and talked to many Christians who come up with all sorts of tactics, strategies and excuses merely to justify their refusal/reluctance to share the gospel with others:

A) I do not share the gospel with people but I show them love!

Response: Showing love is good. As Christians we should indeed do so but “love” does not save people from hell. You can feed a hungry person and he might live 20 more years but he would eventually die and without faith in Christ he would spend an eternity in hell. You can give money to the poor and they would live more years and then they would die and if they do not believe in Jesus, they would be eternally apart from the love of God. Adding few more years to this temporary life may be good but in the end it makes zero difference as to where that person would end up once he dies. Love does not save people. Only gospel has that power.

B ) I will not share the gospel with this group of people because there is a law against it.

Response: Jesus said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

What you are basically saying is: “Jesus, I know you said all authority in heaven and on earth is given to you but I think you forgot the governing authority in my country! You do not have that! So you see Jesus, I cannot go against it!”

I once said to a group of people “It is impossible to be a Christian and not suffer persecution”. One guy said: “I disagree! I have been a Christian for many years and I have not faced any suffering/persecution!” I asked him: “Have you shared the gospel with Muslims?” He said: “Nooooo! I would end up in jail if I did that!” 😳

Sadly 👆 is the result of a fabricated doctrine of “I should not do things that jeopardize my safety, stability and comfort”. And in our absurd desire not to offend people, not to hurt their feelings, not to rock the boat (which is actually sinking the way it is) we keep encouraging that attitude. We tell people that it is OK not to share the gospel, that as long as they invite a non-Christian friend to an evangelistic event or course once per year, they can tick the box next to evangelism on their to-do-list.

Sharing the gospel does not make one a Christian but it is impossible for someone to be a Christian and not share the gospel. How can someone who is saved by the gospel, renewed and transformed by the gospel, sustained by the gospel, shaped by the gospel keep that gospel to himself?!!

Nabeel Qureshi, the late Christian apologist once said: “If you do not share the gospel with Muslims, there are only two possible options: you either do not believe what you say you believe or you don’t care they are going to hell!”

In the era we are living right now, seeing that followers of cults are super active and bold in going out and approaching people even to the extent of attending a church service and joining a prayer meeting (personally witnessed this myself) just in order to share what they believe with others, should put us to shame. These people who have been indoctrinated by false teachings go out of their way to bring more people in and we Christians who know the Truth, who know Jesus Christ as the only way to Salvation, tirelessly weave a web of safety around our lives.

If this is the only life we are going to have, then the only logical response would be to hold on firmly to it, but if this life is a mere transient thing which would end one way or another and having faith in Christ guarantees an eternity in God’s presence, how can we let any sort of worldly concern stop us from sharing the gospel with those who are perishing?

Sharing the gospel is the Great Commission. Do not treat it as the Great Omission! It is not an option. It is an obligation and a privilege that God has given us.