Evangelism is the task that all of us were commanded to do. The Lord Jesus Himself said we should go into all the world to preach the gospel to all of creation (see Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:18-20). This task requires that we prepare for it very well for us to succeed.
Part of that preparation is moulding our very character into the character of Christ.
A Christian's character
A Christian's character is very important in evangelising. Our words, no matter how perfectly chosen, will always be broken and disproved by even just a little hypocrisy revealed by a flawed character. All the loving and gentle words that we use are simply negated by anything foul in our person.
When we read the gospels and the entirety of the New Testament, we find several passages emphasising character over spiritual gifts, preaching capabilities and seemingly-wise arguments. This emphasis on the change of our character into Christ's simply tells us that our lives, actions and attitudes speak better messages than our cleverly-designed preachings.
Consider what the Lord Jesus said to His disciples in John 13:34-35:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
And what Paul said in Galatians 5:22-26:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
Romans 12:9-21 even gives us reminders on how to "behave like a Christian," according to the New King James Version. Here are but some of the things emphasised there:
- Love without hypocrisy;
- Brotherly love;
- Patience in tribulation;
- Persistence in prayer;
- Hospitality;
- Blessing those who persecute you;
- Humility;
- Preferring to do good rather than evil;
- Giving God the right to avenge; and
- Not repaying evil for evil, but repaying evil with good.
Irresistible love
Christ told us that we should love others the way He loved us. Honestly speaking, His love is the only kind that's irresistible: the kind of love that softens hardened hearts and embittered spirits. It's the goodness of God that led us to repentance (see Romans 2:4), and it's His kindness and love shown through us Christians that others will come to know Him and repent of their sins, too.
