Last Tuesday night in the snow people came out to pray as we discussed Jesus’ method of Evangelism. After selecting disciples, after associating with them, after asking them for consecration, and imparting the Holy Spirit Jesus told them “I have given you an example” (John 13:15).
It was a deliberate part of the strategy of Jesus to demonstrate the kind of life he planned for his people to live. Disciples observed in Him the life they were to live and teach others to live. With Jesus classes were always in session. Today I invite you to consider your life as an example to others. We teach by what we do. Our lives demonstrate to others how to live. Every situation is a learning opportunity.
It is interesting to see how Jesus did not force lessons on disciples, but they were asking him after observing how he lived. Consider Jesus prayer life (Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12). It is seeing that Jesus received strength in his life through prayer that disciples got so hungry that they asked him “Teach us how to pray” (Luke 11:1). Another area of example was Jesus’ use of Scriptures. He was recalling freely the Word of God in every situation as he committed it to his memory. Not only knowing it intellectually, but living by it he advised disciples “abide in the word” (John 15:7). Peter, one of his disciples was so impressed with Jesus example that he writes later in his letter “crave the Word as an infant baby craves mother’s milk” (1st Peter 2:2). Soul-winning was another huge area of demonstrating by example. Jesus drew people to him. Evangelistic teaching is natural. It is using every life opportunity as an object lesson, not for lecturing but for demonstrating.
As we are moving toward the Year of Evangelism I invite you all to live the life worth imitating. Just as the apostle Paul invited his friends to imitate him as he was imitating Christ (1st Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17) so are we to live in a way that we could say to people around us – imitate me, as I imitate Christ.
Our children and immediate family are our first disciples. They observe our lives and actions 24x7, everywhere. Demonstrate to your family the life committed to Christ. Let people see the transformation and happiness God brings into your life. momentarily others would be asking you to teach them the secret of your successful life with God.
Real evangelism is not lecturing from the stage, not debating and persuading of right over wrong, it is not even a religious invitation to attend a worship gathering. It is about demonstrating to people the good news of changed free life. It is about making others see the real hope of liberation and freedom in Christ. And I am not talking about gimmicks or techniques of “power-point” workshop or seminar. It is practicing in life what we expect others to learn.
Make it your goal, your New Year resolution, to lead people by your life-example to saving relationship with Jesus. If you yourself need to be converted, make that conversion known and exemplary, so that others would discover their way to repentance too.
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