GUEST POST: Andrew’s First Time Evangelizing

Romans 10:15 “As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'”

I asked my friend, Andrew, to write a short post about his first time going with us to evangelize. This written account details his inward perspective regarding the Evangelism at the Shamrock Marathon post I wrote. Reading this has been a source of encouragement for me as I reflect on my first time sharing the Gospel, and my prayer is that it serves to encourage you all as well. Praise God for His work in Andrew’s life, and pray that the Holy Spirit continues to strengthen him and sanctify him! Without further ado, here is his post:

“It was definitely out of my comfort zone to go out evangelizing. I am a complete introvert, and I knew the Shamrock race would be busy and chaotic. Furthermore, I didn’t really know most of the people who were going. I was acquainted with Rachel and Pat, but it was still a situation which honestly made me quite anxious. It came down to the conviction I felt to share the gospel that had been growing for months as my knowledge of my faith grew. I tried as hard as I could to shake the urge to say no, and the strong desire to just stay in bed as the next morning arrived. It is only through the Holy Spirit that I was able to even work up the courage to go out that day.

Going evangelizing also required the conscious denial of anxiety that I felt at the thought of encountering strangers and massive crowds of people, and allowing my decision to not be shaped by these people, but rather by the Person who has ransomed my soul from a judgment I rightly deserved. Reflecting on this freely given gift spurred me into action. In addition to this, we are commanded to be obedient as well, regardless of where our internal reflections take us.

I am reminded of what James said in his epistle regarding the external manifestations of a truly salvific faith. On one hand, we must consider that we are just like the very adversaries of God if we simply believe in God without acting (James 2:19, NIV)! Belief in God is not synonymous with trust, or faith, or justification. While the thing that saves us is faith itself, James poses the powerful question of whether or not a faith that does not produce visible changes in our behaviors and deeds is actually genuine (James 2:14; Romans 3:28). Here we see that there is the reality of two forms of faith: a faith that is simply a statement, and a faith that invites an indwelling of the Spirit of God, acting and moving within us to realign our values and deeds towards heaven. Jesus also alludes to this in the Sermon on the Mount where he describes two forms of people: one who hears advice and reacts by building his house on rock, and the other who hears but carries on unchanged (Matt. 7:24-29).

Similarly, in our faith walks, there seems to be two forms of faith. There is a faith that changes and saves, and a faith that merely fits an appearance. My only hope is that my experience can allow any reader to welcome the Spirit into their hearts, and allow Him to give you the courage, ability, and desire to show your true faith by your deeds and not simply by your words. God certainly did this for me in my life, and I am thankful for such an opportunity.”

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