Evangelism in a Fallen World

2 Timothy 4:1 - 5 (NIV)

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

How do you prefer to evangelize? Are you a street preacher, someone who hands out tracts, one who talks to strangers, or how about one of the new trends lifestyle or friendship evangelism? It is difficult to reach out and talk to people in the current climate. In the age of "tolerance", the intolerance toward Christians is astounding. We are constantly being told that we should not be forcing our views on others. But the question needs to be asked; "Is preaching the word the same as forcing our views?"

We need look no farther than the Middle East and the Islamic world to see a true example of forcing a belief on someone. It is illegal to convert to another religion in most Islamic countries and the penalty is death. In India, radical Hindus in Orissa state are rounding up Christian missionaries, beating, raping, and killing them for the crime of evangelism. How does this compare to handing out a tract or street preaching?

It is our duty to preach the word. If there was a blind man heading toward a cliff, would you tell him? Even if the man didn't think there was a cliff on the horizon, you know there is one and he is heading for certain destruction. Do you not tell him because you are afraid of what he might say to you? Remember what Paul said above "correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." Be gentle but do not waver.

From Romans 10:14 "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"