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By Will Graham
As an evangelist, I have been called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ whenever and wherever I can, and I’ve had the opportunity to do that in many venues around the world.
Are you ready for the uncomfortable part? You, my friends, are also called to be evangelists. Just because your last name isn’t Graham doesn’t mean that you get a free pass on offering the hope that you have to your friends and loved ones.
While you may not preach in front of hundreds or thousands, you should still be able to put into action the words of 1 Peter 3:15: “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…” (ESV).
There is a quote—which is often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi—that reads, “Preach the Gospel always, and when necessary use words.” I appreciate what St. Francis was saying (if, in fact, he said it). He desired that people not just preach, but live what they were preaching.
Unfortunately, I think many of us hide behind that mentality of “lifestyle evangelism.” We timidly think that if we live a good enough life, people will see our faith and will, in turn, make a decision for Christ.
On some level, that may be true. We are supposed to live in a way that the light and love of Christ shines through us. We want others to realize there is something different about us.
But our calling to fulfill the Great Commission doesn’t end there. We can never be good enough to get somebody into heaven.
In Romans 10:17, it is written, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (ESV). Notice that the verse doesn’t say faith comes through a friend being an exceptionally nice guy. It doesn’t say faith comes from a positive transaction with a local businessman. It says “faith comes from hearing”!
What would you say right now if a friend called you and asked why you believe in Jesus? Do you have the words to say, and the verses to back it up? Further, do you have the heart of an evangelist in you; one that breaks for the lost souls around you who are dying without the hope of Christ?
That is your calling. We are all called to be evangelists. Are you willing to spend the time in prayer and the Word so that when those opportunities arise, you’ll be ready?
Yes, we should behave in a way that opens the door to conversations about our faith. Our actions should affirm our love for Christ and not be a stumbling block for others. But, on top of that, my friends, be available and ready to share the Good News.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38, ESV).
Article First Appeared Here. William Franklin Graham IV (Will) is the third generation of Grahams to proclaim the Gospel under the banner of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The grandson of Billy Graham and the oldest son of Franklin Graham, Will has shared the hope of Jesus with more than one million people across six continents since beginning his evangelistic ministry in 2006.
