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Evangelism: An Asset or A Liability?
When we speak of the gospel, we are speaking of evangelism. Evangelism is the work of proclaiming the gospel. There is the need for evangelists in this work, but there are many other needs essential to the support of evangelism. The Philippian church supported Paul and had fellowship in the gospel (Philippians 1.5; 4.15-16). Timothy and Epaphroditus were fellow workers in this matter of evangelism (Philippians 2.19-30).
Evangelism is needed, because the gospel is needed. God’s power to save and his righteousness are in the gospel (Romans 1.16-17). In Philippians 3.9, Paul spoke of “righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.” When we pair this with what Paul said in Romans 1.17, we find that righteousness comes from God and God’s righteousness has always been revealed through his word.
Because God’s words are inherently right, all that is truth originates with God. There is nothing true but what God declared to be true. God intended for his words to be known by man and for that reason, evangelism is necessary. Evangelism is the work of sharing the gospel.
We also learn from Philippians 3.9 that righteousness comes from God on the basis of faith. It was so purposed. God’s word must be believed and accepted as being true. Otherwise, no one with be righteous before God. This may be better understood when explained from another aspect: To say that God’s word must be believed and accepted as true and right, it must be believed and accepted that nothing else is true and right. God’s words have no equal; no peer! Our faith regarding God’s words must be that they alone are the sole source of truth and righteousness.
Righteousness therefore depend upon a right understanding about what the sole source of truth and righteousness is. Righteousness has but one true source. Do we believe that? If so, we will act as God’s word directs. We will accept it by faith. God’s righteousness is now found in the gospel. If we believe the gospel message, we will do as it states. Then and only then will we be righteous and God’s sight. This is the promise he has given in his word. Do we believe it?
Since God’s power to save is in the gospel, and evangelism is the work of proclaiming the gospel, evangelism is needed. We may acknowledge that the gospel is needed, but do we acknowledge that evangelism is needed. Evangelism is needed, but evangelism also has needs. It needs funding. It needs fellow workers like Timothy and Epaphroditus. It needs time devoted and it needs commitment. Whether these abound or lack depends upon our attitude toward evangelism.
While the gospel may not be viewed as a liability, is evangelism considered so? Do we view evangelism in terms of cost-effectiveness? Are we concerned whether or not the returns justify the expenses put toward evangelism? How can we determine this? Let us look to the master evangelist for the answer.
When the first disciples were called by Jesus, he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4.19; Mark 1.17; Luke 5.1-11). “Fishing for me” refers to evangelism. How are we to view this amount of fish caught by the apostles in comparison to the amount of “men” they would catch? Obviously evangelism is not going to produce the same quantity of men as the amount of fish caught here. So how are we to understand the words of Jesus? Let us consider a few truths from Jesus’ teaching.
The Source of the Catch. The great about of fish caught was not due to the ability of the fishermen. Remember they had fished all the night before and their nets came up empty. The reason for the great catch was because it was the will of God for it to be so. Had God willed for them to catch nothing, they surely would have. His word does as he purposed. God said of his word, “It shall accomplish that which I purpose” (Isaiah 55.11). The gospel is not to be thought of only in terms of saving, but more so of revealing the heart (John 3.17-21; 15.22,24). Only a good and honest heart will accept it (Luke 8.15). All other hearts will not. God’s word is a double-edged sword (Hebrews 4.12). God purposed for his word to save only those who will accept it. However, evangelism is not to be graded upon “convert quantity” alone. If this is the approach, it will be deemed a failure. One has to wonder if brethren have come to measure it in this way!
The Value of the Catch. While the fish quantity was great, how would we compare it to the amount of lilies that God cares for, or the care God has for one sparrow (Luke 12.7)? If God so willed it, not even one hair of our heads would fall (Luke 21.18).
The point is that one soul being “caught” (saved) from sin is worth more than the fish, the sparrows, or the hairs of our heads being preserved. It doesn’t take a large quantity to make evangelism “cost-effective.” If one soul is rescued, evangelism is an asset. What if another is taught the same word but refuses to repent? Does their refusal make the message a liability? Has the message no value? Are we failures because no conversion results from our efforts? We need to remember this: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16.26).
