Practical Evangelism, 1 Peter 1:12b

"...through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-- things which angels desire to look into."

     It is not by our own strength or ability that we are to go out and share the gospel with a lost and perishing, unbelieving world, but rather the gospel of peace comes through us by the Holy Spirit. We don't have to try and muster up enough strength and courage to go out and witness, putting our knowledge to the test, trying to convince people. Instead, we need simply to be available to be used by God and willing to submit in obedience when He puts it on our hearts to share our faith.
     It is God who ultimately decides when and how the gospel will be presented. It is God who calls people to Himself. It is the Spirit of God that convicts people of righteousness, sin, and judgement. Essentially, God does all the work. He just chooses to use us as His instruments! Our only job is to be willing and available. It has been said that the greatest ability is availability.

     Sharing our faith is not something that should be shrugged off or taken lightly, nor should it be looked upon with dread or contempt. The angels in heaven are looking down in wonder and amazement watching God's wonderful plan of salvation, His gospel of peace and hope, at work! How much more should we hold delivering the good news to a lost soul as the highest honor given by God to man.
     The gospel is the power of life to them who believe, changing a person's eternal destiny. Where once we were perishing in our sin, condemned already to everlasting anguish and torment, spending eternity separated from God, by faith we are saved and promised a future of joy, peace and love in the presence of our Almighty God.
     When we remember what it is we are actually bringing to people-- life for death, beauty for ashes, joy for mourning-- I believe we are a lot more willing to share our faith with those around us. So often, too often, I think we hold an attitude that people are going to think us fools for sharing with them, or that they are sure to reject it, or something to that effect. But it really doesn't matter if they think we are fools, so long as we are fools for Christ's sake and theirs. If they reject the message we bring, they are not rejecting us but God-- and we should pray for their eyes to be opened and their hearts softened.
     It is no light thing to keep the good news to oneself, in fact, it is probably the most selfish thing a person could do-- for you are putting your own comfort above another person's eternal destiny! May we ever be aware that sharing the love of Christ and what He has done for us is the power to save a man's soul from hell, not just pitting one religion against another. There is one way, one truth, and one life. We must be willing to share it, and we must put ourselves aside and desire to share it.