Today’s Bible Study, Authored by Arthur Cincotti. 08/04/2024
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What Compels Us?
“…I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, Rm. 9:2,3
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” Rm. 10:1
In the above selected verses, we see Paul using extremely passionate language to express his zeal for evangelism. Though his mission was primarily to the Gentiles, the weight of his burden for his countrymen is evident throughout his writings. Romans 9,10 and 11 are an extended discourse on the state of first-century Judaism and their response to the gospel.
What compels us to share the gospel?
What compels us to do anything? There are many driving forces to perpetuate action; greed, ambition, selfish gain, fear of consequences as well as survival, compassion, obedience, and love.
First, let’s look at the word “evangelism” and consider its place in God’s design and economy.
Evangelical is not the title of a political voting block or of a quirky sect of the church at large. All believers are called to evangelize. We see the word “angel” inside. The office of angels is to act as God’s messengers, to bring good tidings. We don’t depend solely on angels to accomplish this task since we have also been given a mandate in, what we call, “the great commission”:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Mt. 28:19,20
We have been grafted into the Family business and given a role in the salvation of the world.
We have good news to share by virtue of our experience in Christ.
Paul goes on to say, in Rm. 10:14-15, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe on Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!’”
God’s design is that His kingdom would advance by the power of the Holy Spirit working through Spirit-filled believers. That’s what evangelism is. It may take on many forms, including eloquent preachers, but more frequently through simple folks living out their faith in front of family and friends.
What compels us to share our faith?
Some churches are compelled by growing numbers with such devices as membership drives. They seem to ascribe to “the more the merrier” ideology which gravitates towards, “the more we have, the more we can do.”
This is not offensive, because Paul even wrote, “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.” Ph. 1:15-18
Some churches, and indeed, whole religious persuasions have a, “my god is better than your god” approach, which presupposes superiority. Superiority is never the intent of the true Christian faith since Paul writes elsewhere, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty…” I Cor. 1:27
Truth is the essence of the Christian faith. Why embrace error when the truth is available? And the truth of the gospel is that, “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
This is just a simple and verifiable truth, but what compels us to share it?
We may feel that if we can convince other people, it will buttress our own uncertainty. That notion could be universal to any and all worldviews.
We may feel zealous for righting past wrongs; like the former smoker who campaigns to have all their friends stop smoking.
We may even have a misguided notion that, if we do this, God will like us more.
None of these reasons is sufficient or compelling even on the receiving end. Nobody is convinced by our tawdry evangelism.
There are two bars that rightly compel us to share this gospel; love of God and love of neighbor. Jesus said that upon this dynamic rests all the law and the prophets. Mt. 27:37-40
The, “love of God” element embraces the “Great Commission” as more than a suggestion, but as a commandment. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Jn. 14:15 and “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” Jn. 15:10
If we truly claim to love God we will by all sensibilities aim to align with His order, design, and precepts. Forgiveness is always part of that equation because of our frailty, but not as a default button or an excuse for disobedience.
Love of neighbor should likewise compel us. In fact, if we really understood this gospel and believed it we would/should be begging strangers and even enemies to embrace this truth. Jesus was quoting Lev. 19:18 when He instructed, “love your neighbor as yourself” Mt. 5:43, Mt. 19:19, Mt. 22:39 and Mk. 12:31
That’s a lot of love.
This, of course, presupposes that you love yourself. We’re not promoting narcissism, but let’s face it, who’s teeth did you brush this morning? Jesus said, “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” Lk. 6:31
This can be a powerful compulsion especially if we glimpse the consequences for those who reject Christ, and His free gift of salvation.
Rm. 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
And, in case anyone was wondering, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rm. 3:23
It seems useful to consider, for a moment, love, and even more deeply consider how it applies to evangelism.
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails…” I Cor. 13:4-8
Love compels us!
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Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship
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