What is evangelism? Should we judge evangelism on the basis of conversions? Is it evangelism only if we see conversions? This is a BIG DEAL! If this is true, then many, many missionaries–faithful, godly men and women of God through the ages–have utterly failed. Does the Scripture tell us that for us to be faithful preachers of the gospel, there must be a certain level of results by which we measure results? NO!
What a heavy weight for God’s servants to carry around with them. Is there any human being who has the ability to reach inside someone’s heart and convert them? Absolutely not. So, dear servant of God, be released from that devilish bondage! Here is the most simple way I know to think about it. In the saving of souls, there are two job descriptions: 1) Ours–to simply proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, 2) God’s–to bring about a new birth, to convert the soul.
How do these two job descriptions inform our approach to reaching lost people with the gospel? We understand that we are totally unable to do God’s part. No human being—no matter how gifted, how smart, how sincere, how godly—has the power to cause someone to be born again. On the other hand, we understand that God will not (I repeat WILL NOT) do our part. Jesus has come to earth once to accomplish and to finish the work of redemption for all who will repent and believe. He now waits at the right hand of the Father for that moment that He will come the second time—this time to execute judgment on all mankind. During this time, He has commissioned us—His servants and His ambassadors to go and tell others the gospel. This is our job.
Simply put—We cannot do God’s part, and He will not do ours!