This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
—1 John 3:16
I am always amazed when I get around people who are in a conversation about evangelism. These conversations have a way of exasperating me. So many times as I listen, I realize that most of them are missing the point; they are missing a key element to evangelism. What is it, you ask? It's the element of discipleship.
Evangelism without personal discipleship is like a watch dog without teeth. Your bark will be heard, but it won't be long before you get a reputation of being ineffective. Preaching or proclaiming the Gospel is vital. Sharing your faith is an important step, but it's only the first step in the process of making disciples. After they make a commitment, then we have to make one as well. The second step in evangelism involves a commitment that very few modern Christians are willing to make. We must lay down our lives for those we've led to the Lord.
Most people today have a real problem with this. First, we live such personal lives that opening up our home and personal time seems like an intrusion. In reality, an open life is what all Christians are to live. Secondly, we are so busy with church activities, soccer games, and events in the community or at school that it seems impossible to find more time to mentor somebody in their new faith. We have goals, we have desires, and we have projects. So how do we find time to let somebody else into our lives? There is only one answer. We sacrifice. We have to give up some things. That, my friend, is the essence of laying down our lives.
Laying down our lives doesn't necessarily mean that we die for our friends. However, some of our personal desires and goals may have to be nailed to a cross for a while. We may have to sacrifice the time we had set aside for our neighborhood club. We may have to give up two of the five days at the gym. Maybe our kids don't need to be involved in every extracurricular activity. Whatever it is that we give up, spending time mentoring a new believer will be worth it.
Let's face it. This means giving of ourselves. God gave us the ultimate example by giving up His Son. Jesus lived His life showing us how to do it. He opened up His life to 72 men. He let 12 of these guys eat with Him, travel with Him, and minister with Him. What was the result? These few men transformed the world in the span of one generation. Anything that will make a lasting impact will require sacrifice. Changing a person's life for Christ is no different.
Make it a daily goal to give some of your personal time to a new believer. You might not think you have a lot to give. But you do. Multiply yourself by sharing the things that Jesus has shared with you. Teach each one of these new students of Christ to do the same. Don't stay so busy in the world that you're no good to heaven. Give of yourself. Open up your life to someone else. The changes that you impart in another’s life will be eternal.
Scriptural Context
1 John 3:14-24
Concept Reinforcement
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
—Acts 2:46-47
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
—John 15:12-13
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
—Hebrews 13:16
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