I don’t know how you manage your time, but I often get plunged into the tyranny of the urgent unless I specifically plan out my commitments and responsibilities for the week. I would like to encourage you this week in one particular area: evangelism. Jesus Christ, in the Sermon on the Mount, calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. The reason Jesus gives for this is “so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” The heart of evangelism is to live and speak the Gospel so that others would give glory to God. 

I recently had an opportunity to spend some time with someone, listening to his questions and explaining the Gospel to him. There is nothing more exciting than to watch God at work in the heart of an unbeliever who--for the first time--truly sees God for who He is and rightly understands his own need for God’s grace. What struck me after our second planned meeting was the unique platform it gave for the Gospel. I wasn’t trying to interject Christian truths into a ten-minute passing conversation. I wasn’t pressed for time because of other obligations. We were there speaking of our own personal lives and looking into God’s Word for truth about His character and His plan of redemption.   

I was struck by the need for me to actually plan for evangelism. We evangelize every day by what we do and say, but it takes time to verbally communicate the full Gospel. Are there people in your life who do not know Jesus Christ?  Pray for them regularly. Care for them as you deepen your relationship. Prepare biblically to present the Gospel. Plan a time to meet with them. And faithfully share the Gospel with them. The conversion of lost sinners is the one Christian joy that we will not be able to experience in heaven. So, while on earth, let us obey our Lord and boldly proclaim Christ to a lost world to the glory of our Father. Press on in grace.