spiritual disciplines book quote 6

From Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, by Donald Whitney, on evangelism...

Researcher George Barna offers [an] explanation for Christians' fear of evangelism: "One dominant reason underlying the increasing reluctance of Christians to share their faith with non-Christians pertains to the faith sharing experience itself. In asking Christians about their witnessing activities, we have found that nine out of ten individuals who attempt to explain their beliefs and theology to other people come away from those experiences feeling as if they have failed... The reality of human behavior is that most people avoid those activities in which they perceive themselves to be failures. As creatures seeking pleasure and comfort, we emphasize those dimensions and activities in which we are most capable and secure. Thus, despite the divine command to spread the Word, many Christians redirect their energies into areas of spiritual activity that are more satisfying and in which they are more likely to achieve success" (p. 102-103; emphases mine).

The power of evangelism is the Holy Spirit. From the instant that He indwells us He gives us the power to witness. Jesus stressed this in Acts 1:8 when He said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Evangelism is expected of every Christian because every Christian is empowered to evangelize. But this power to witness that Jesus promised in Acts 1:8 is often misunderstood. We are not all empowered to evangelize the same way, but all believers have been given power to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. The evidence that you've been given the power to witness is a changed life. The same Holy Spirit power that changed your life for Christ is the power to witness for Christ. So if God by His Spirit has changed your life, be confident of this: God has given you Acts 1:8 power. That means that in ways and methods compatible with your personality, temperament, spiritual gift, opportunities, etc., you do have the power to share the gospel with people. Having Acts 1:8 power also means God will empower your life and words in the sharing of the gospel in ways you will often not perceive. To put it another way, the Holy Spirit may grant much power to your witness in an evangelistic encounter without giving to you any feeling or sense of power in it (p. 103-104; some emphases mine).

... it is through the gospel that God gives the power to believe. That's the meaning of Romans 10:17: "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (p. 104; emphases mine).

When you share it is the gospel, you share "the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..." It is the gospel that is the power of God for salvation and not our own eloquent power or persuasiveness (p. 104-105; some emphases mine).

Paul describes the power of Godliness... in 2 Corinthians 2:14-17: "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity like men sent from God." The Lord empowers the life (vs. 14-16) and the words (vs. 17) of the faithful believer with a power of spiritual attraction. It is the power of a fragrant aroma that God uses to attract people to the message about His Son (p. 105; emphases mine).