Am I Called To Evangelize?

Many of us have heard about missionaries and people evangelizing, sharing the gospel to all. You've probably seen those close and far to you evangelize as well. But have you ever considered if you were also called to evangelize? How do we know if we are called to evangelize? 

I grew up as a Christian and was exposed to the concept of sharing the gospel. In fact, I would hear many stories of missionaries traveling all over the world to reach the lost. My church would invite missionaries to come and share their testimonies of how others' lives have been saved through their work and support of the church. 

But never once did I ever consider myself evangelizing. 

Why? Because I didn't see it as my responsibility to do so. The only responsibility I knew I had was to study the gospel and to obey God. 

Plus, it seemed like there were already enough people out there reaching out to the lost and spreading the gospel. 

To say it simply, I didn't feel the call to evangelize. 

However, after spending a lot of time studying the word and having friends speak truth into my life, I realized that I have lived more than half of my life with a lie that it wasn't my job to evangelize. You might be in the same boat as me, thinking that it's not your duty to share the gospel, but I am here to tell you today that you are called to evangelize. 

The great commission from Jesus is stated in Matthew 28:19-20 which says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you to do." Jesus emphasized to all of us to go and share his good news. He didn't give restrictions of who should or shouldn't share the gospel - he calls all of us to do so. 

It doesn't matter how bad your past was, how long you have been a Christian, how good of a speaker you are, or what your track record is. Once we have been saved and have received the good news, we are called to go and share. Mark 16:15 says, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."

As followers of Christ, we must follow his example and share the gospel to all who will hear. The gospel started with Jesus in Jerusalem thousands of years ago. How did it spread all over the world? By 12 men, the disciples of Jesus. They were empowered by the Holy Spirit and dedicated their lives to take every opportunity to share the salvation of Jesus Christ. 

If the disciples hadn't taken the initiative to spread the good news, Christianity would never have lasted until today. Not only should we credit the disciples, but also to everyone who has taken the effort to share the good news ever from the time of the disciples. 

How did you know about Christ? It's because someone shared about him to you. If it wasn't for their effort to share Christ, you wouldn't be saved today. Imagine living your whole life without having anyone speak the truth of the gospel to you. Don't take away the chance for someone to be saved. 

You hold the key to people's happiness and joy, and that is Christ. 

Christ was never meant to be kept, but to be shared. 

What's stopping you from sharing the gospel? Because whatever the reason may be, it can't be better than letting that person miss being saved and experiencing the fullness of joy in Christ. My friend has always given me this analogy: Imagine someone with cancer who is dying. You are standing right next to them with the cure to save their life in your hands. Would you not share the cure to them? 

God has a greater purpose for you in your life - greater than your job at work, school, and home. Your greater purpose is to save lives through sharing about Jesus.  I now see my job in a new perspective. I no longer see my purpose as to only work, but to take every opportunity to share the love of Christ to others. We are Christ's ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). We have the privilege to represent Christ, and we are the only closest physical thing for non believers to see a glimpse of who God is. 

I have found something that is more better than taking in the good news, and that is sharing the good news. Matthew 9:37 says, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." Don't live with the lie that you are not needed to share the gospel, because there are many that still need to hear the truth of Jesus, and you might be their only chance to hear the gospel. So remember, you are called to evangelize.