In regard to doing evangelism and missions, authors Tim Chester and Steve Timmis, in their book Everyday Church, suggest that the Bible's prescribed way of reaching the lost is not primarily by inviting people to evangelistic events, but rather:
"Our lives are the evangelistic events. Our life together is the apologetic."
They are not advocating a wordless gospel that expects people to comprehend the truth simply through seeing our good works. What they discuss at length in the book is that Christians should live a very different lifestyle, individually and collectively, which actually gets the attention of the lost as it displays the power of the gospel we proclaim.
1 Peter 3:13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
In a time when Christians are often quick to complain about the state of the world and how we are treated by it, it is no wonder that we primarily rely on events and programs to present the gospel. If we were to make our individual and collective lives the main means of witnessing to the world, we might tend to make the gospel less believable, as our often self-centered lifestyles and lack of unity as Christ's church, would hardly seem to confirm the truth.
By God's grace, may we seek to be His witness and His church, as we interact with each other and the world throughout our daily lives!
John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
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