Evangelism is a War
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.
Matthew 15: 18-19
In the last days many people are turning away from religion, especially Christianity, because this is Satan’s goal. Much of the world believes that Christianity is what keeps people from being free. This is s lie from Satan and it’s easy to believe because living for the flesh is easier than reading the Word and learning about Christ.
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14) The broad road is filled with people who live for their fleshly desires. This is easy to understand because people seek comfort and peace for their flesh instead of seeking comfort and peace for their soul. For many people in the world see themselves as their flesh not realizing their eternal soul is spiritual and that is who they are; it is their personality, thoughts, emotions, and will.
When we minister to people we may find them strongly opposing us because they don’t want anyone to rock the boat of their justified believe. People that refuse to believe us are really opposing Christ, because they believe if they walk with Christ they will lose their freedom. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1) They don’t understand that freedom only comes from Christ who frees us from bondage to the world.
Ministering to people of the world who have justified their belief, means we are fighting a war with Satan who has planted his lies in people. The more we can learn how to fight Satan and the lies he feeds people, the more effective we can minister to others. First we fight this war with love and compassion and with kind caring heart. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15) We always start with the God’s plan of salvation through Christ, how our sins are forgiven, and how Christ intercedes for us to the Father. We show the love, peace, and joy in our hearts and we reflect the full free life that comes only from Christ. We tell them once they accept and baptized into his family, they are saved, and for the rest of our lives they are molded to the image of his Son, pointing lost souls to Christ.
Today face the sinful world and accept the challenge of telling the plan of salvation to lost misguided souls. Do this with love and patience, and with an ear for listening. Ask the Spirit for words, for it’s the Spirit’s power that touches hearts.
Prayer: Lord, give me whatever I need to fight this spiritual war and steal lost souls from Satan, pointing them to your kingdom and freedom in Christ. Keep me calm when people fight the truth with angry words, and let this trigger more calmness in me. In Jesus name, Amen