The Benefits of Personal Evangelism
The fact that Christians are to recognize their mission of evangelism is undeniable (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). Yet, it is easy for us to forget. Often, factors such as discouragement keep us from excelling or even abounding in our valiant efforts of such. Nevertheless, in order to be successful, we must change our level of triumph from conversions to the number of people we teach. We must continue to cultivate a passion for lost souls, and we must always see that spiritual death is far worse than physical death. In other words, with a few tweaks of thought and purpose, we can begin to see benefits of evangelism.
One benefit is that we will be as Christ. While on earth, Jesus was a soul winner. When He was not preaching to the multitudes, He was speaking to individuals about the condition of their souls—a woman of Samaria (John 4), Zacchaeus (Luke 19), and such like. Jesus said, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Therefore, when we are evangelistic soul winners, we will be as Christ.
Another benefit is that we will be wise. In commissioning His apostles for their task of preaching (evangelizing), Jesus told them, “…be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16). Daniel records, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (Dan. 12:3). Wisdom increases as we take the knowledge of the word of God and put it into practice, which translates into experience.
A third benefit is that we will become fruitful. The Bible often categorizes the Christian life as developing fruit. While many references include the development of proper attitudes of godliness and true character (cf. Gal. 5:22-23), another such method of doing so is evangelism. The apostle Paul looked upon those whom he taught and led to their conversion to Christ as being his fruit (cf. Rom. 1:13; Phil. 1:22; Col. 1:6).
In addition, we benefit from evangelism by increasing our knowledge of the Bible (cf. Col. 1:10). Being an effective soul winner calls for diligent study of the scriptures for the purpose of exposing false doctrines taught in the religious world and effective communication of the pure and unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18).
A fifth benefit of evangelism is that we know that our labor is not in vain. While we may not see immediate results of our teaching, we know that we are not sowing the word of God in vain (cf. Isa. 55:11). In addition, we understand that our role is simply to be a sower of the word—it is God that will provide the growth and increase (1 Cor. 3:6). Therefore, we can continue to abound in such a blessed work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).
A final benefit of evangelism is that we will be pulling lost souls from the fires of hell—“ And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire…” (Jude 1:23). Of a soul winner, one could never say, “You never mentioned him to me.” Therefore, soul winners strive to save the souls of men and women from the clutches of Satan. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James
5:19-20).
May we all see the benefits of personal evangelism, changing our attitudes and molding our purpose along the way, so that above all, God may receive the glory!