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If you have ever had a Christian talk to you about Jesus, invite you to church, share their testimony or encourage you to read the Bible, you may have wondered why they do it.
Some people see evangelism as Christians trying to force their beliefs on other people. Others may wonder why Christians feel the need to tell people about their faith when everyone has the right to believe what they want.
The Bible gives us a very different picture of evangelism.
Christians evangelize because Jesus told His followers to share the gospel. They do it because they believe that Jesus offers forgiveness, salvation, hope and eternal life, and because they want other people to know Him too.
Evangelism should not be about forcing someone to believe.
It should come from love.
Quick Answer: Why Do Christians Evangelize?
Christians evangelize because Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples and share the gospel with others. Christians believe that every person needs to know about Jesus and have the opportunity to respond to Him.
Evangelism is not about forcing someone to become a Christian. Christians cannot make another person have faith. Their responsibility is to faithfully share the message of Jesus, while the other person decides how they will respond.
At its heart, evangelism is about telling people the good news of what Jesus has done and inviting them to know God.
What Does Evangelism Mean?
The word evangelism comes from a word meaning good news or gospel.
So when Christians evangelize, they are sharing the good news about Jesus Christ.
That good news is that although humanity has been separated from God by sin, God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him through Jesus.
Jesus came into the world, lived without sin, died for our sins and rose again. Through faith in Him, we can receive forgiveness and be brought into a relationship with God.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 — The Gospel Is About Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
This is the heart of the Christian message.
Evangelism is not simply telling people to become better people.
It is not telling people that Christianity will make their life perfect.
It is telling people about Jesus.
Did Jesus Command Christians to Evangelize?
Yes.
Jesus clearly instructed His followers to take the gospel to other people.
Matthew 28:19–20 — Jesus Gave the Great Commission
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
These words are commonly known as the Great Commission.
Jesus did not tell His followers to keep the gospel to themselves.
He told them to go.
The Christian faith was always meant to be shared.
The disciples were instructed to make disciples, baptize them and teach them what Jesus had commanded.
That is why evangelism remains an important part of Christianity today.
Why Is Evangelism So Important to Christians?
Christians believe that the gospel is not simply one piece of advice among many.
It is the message of salvation.
If a Christian genuinely believes that Jesus is the way to God and that people can receive eternal life through Him, it makes sense that they would want other people to know about Him.
Imagine discovering something that could completely change someone’s life and choosing never to tell them about it.
For Christians, the gospel is far more important than that.
They believe they have discovered the truth about God and His love, and they want other people to have the opportunity to know Him too.
John 3:16 — God Offers Salvation Through Jesus
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Christian evangelism begins with God’s love.
Christians are not sharing the gospel because God needs more people on a list.
They are sharing it because they believe God loves people and wants them to know Him.
Do Christians Evangelize Because They Think Everyone Is Bad?
Christians believe that all people have sinned, including themselves.
The message of Christianity is not that Christians are better than everyone else.
In fact, the gospel begins with the recognition that we all need God’s grace.
Romans 3:23 — Everyone Has Sinned
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Christians evangelize because they believe they also needed Jesus.
They are not supposed to stand above other people and look down on them.
They are supposed to remember that they needed God’s forgiveness too.
That changes the way evangelism should look.
It should not be, “I’m better than you.”
It should be, “I have found something that changed my life, and I want you to know about it too.”
Is Evangelism About Forcing People to Believe?
No.
Christians are called to share the gospel, but they cannot force another person to have faith.
Faith involves a person’s response to God.
This is one reason the way Christians evangelize matters so much.
If someone is rude, aggressive, manipulative or threatening toward another person because they do not believe, that does not represent the way Scripture tells Christians to communicate.
1 Peter 3:15 — Share Your Faith With Gentleness and Respect
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
Peter tells Christians to be ready to explain the hope they have.
But he also tells them how to do it.
With gentleness.
With respect.
That is very different from trying to bully someone into believing.
Why Do Christians Talk About Jesus So Much?
Because Jesus is at the centre of Christianity.
Christianity is not simply a collection of moral rules.
It is about a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Jesus Himself said that He is the way to the Father.
John 14:6 — Jesus Is the Way to the Father
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
If Christians genuinely believe what Jesus said, then sharing the message about Him becomes incredibly important.
They are not simply telling people about a religion.
They are telling people about the person they believe is the Son of God and the Saviour of the world.
Do Christians Evangelize Because They Are Afraid People Will Go to Hell?
The Bible does teach that there is judgment and that people need salvation.
So yes, this can be part of why Christians take evangelism seriously.
But fear should not be the only motivation for sharing the gospel.
The gospel is also about God’s incredible love, forgiveness, grace and desire for people to be reconciled to Him.
Romans 5:8 — God Demonstrates His Love
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Christianity teaches that Jesus did not wait for humanity to become good enough before He came to save us.
He came while we were still sinners.
That is the message Christians want people to hear.
Do Christians Evangelize Because They Want More People in Their Church?
That should not be the primary reason.
Evangelism is not supposed to be about increasing church numbers or making an organisation look successful.
The focus should be on Jesus.
A Christian should want someone to know God, not simply want another person sitting in a church building.
Acts 4:12 — Salvation Is Found in Jesus
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
The goal of evangelism is to point people toward Christ.
Churches can help people grow in their faith, but Christianity begins with Jesus.
Why Do Christians Feel a Responsibility to Share the Gospel?
Because Jesus entrusted His followers with the message.
Paul described this responsibility clearly when he spoke about preaching the gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:16 — Paul Felt Called to Preach the Gospel
“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”
Paul took the responsibility seriously.
He understood that God had given him a mission to share the gospel with others.
Christians today may have different gifts and different ways of serving God, but sharing the message of Jesus remains part of the calling given to His followers.
Does Every Christian Have to Be an Evangelist?
Not every Christian will have the specific spiritual gift of evangelism.
The Bible describes different gifts and different roles within the body of Christ.
But every Christian can share their faith.
You do not need to stand on a street corner and preach to thousands of people.
You might share what God has done in your life with a friend.
You might answer someone’s question about Christianity.
You might invite someone to church.
You might pray with someone who is struggling.
You might simply live your life in a way that makes someone curious about your faith.
1 Peter 3:15 — Be Ready to Explain Your Hope
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
Sometimes evangelism starts with a conversation.
Someone asks why you have hope.
Someone asks why you pray.
Someone asks how you can forgive.
Someone asks what you believe happens after death.
Those moments can create an opportunity to talk about Jesus.
Can the Way Christians Live Be Part of Evangelism?
Yes.
Our words matter, but so does the way we live.
Jesus taught His followers to let their lives shine before others.
Matthew 5:16 — Let Your Light Shine
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
This does not mean Christians should pretend to be perfect.
In fact, pretending to be perfect can make Christianity seem less genuine.
Christians are still human beings who make mistakes.
But our lives should increasingly reflect the character of Christ.
People should be able to see love, kindness, humility, forgiveness, patience and compassion in the way we treat others.
And when we fail, we should be willing to admit it and seek forgiveness.
Why Does Love Matter So Much in Evangelism?
Because without love, evangelism can become nothing more than an argument.
A Christian may have all the right answers but completely miss the heart of the gospel if they treat people with arrogance or cruelty.
1 Corinthians 13:1 — Without Love, Our Words Mean Nothing
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”
Paul makes it clear that our words alone are not enough.
We need love.
If Christians tell people about God’s love while treating those same people with hatred, something has gone very wrong.
Evangelism should reflect the message we are sharing.
If we are telling people that God loves them, our behaviour should help them see something of that love.
What If Someone Doesn’t Want to Hear About Christianity?
Christians should respect that.
Sharing the gospel does not give us permission to harass people.
Jesus Himself taught His disciples what to do when people rejected their message.
Matthew 10:14 — Jesus Taught His Followers How to Respond to Rejection
“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.”
Jesus did not tell His disciples to force people to listen.
They were to share the message and move on when people rejected it.
That is an important lesson for Christians today.
We can care deeply about someone’s salvation without trying to control them.
We can pray for them.
We can love them.
We can be there for them.
But ultimately, their response to God is their own.
What If Christians Are Rejected When They Evangelize?
Rejection can hurt.
It can be difficult to share something you believe is incredibly important and have someone dismiss it, laugh at it or become angry with you.
Jesus warned His followers that this would happen.
John 15:18 — Jesus Warned That His Followers Would Be Rejected
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”
Christians should not expect everyone to agree with them.
Jesus Himself was rejected.
The apostles were rejected.
Many Christians throughout history have experienced rejection because of their faith.
That does not mean Christians should go looking for conflict.
It means that rejection should not automatically cause us to give up.
Why Do Christians Evangelize Even When It Is Uncomfortable?
Because they believe the message is worth sharing.
Sometimes evangelism can feel uncomfortable.
You might worry that someone will think you are strange.
You might be afraid they will reject you.
You might not know what to say.
You might worry that you will not have all the answers.
But Christians are not called to know everything.
They are called to be faithful.
Romans 1:16 — Paul Was Not Ashamed of the Gospel
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Paul believed the gospel was powerful enough to change lives.
That gave him courage to share it even when doing so was difficult.
What Is the Most Important Thing Christians Should Remember About Evangelism?
Christians should remember that they are not the ones who save people.
God does.
A Christian can share the gospel, answer questions, pray for someone and encourage them, but they cannot change another person’s heart.
1 Corinthians 3:6–7 — God Gives the Increase
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”
This takes a lot of pressure off.
Our responsibility is to be faithful with what God has given us.
We do not have to force a result.
We do not have to win every argument.
We do not have to convince everyone.
We simply share what we believe, love people well and leave the results in God’s hands.
Evangelism Is About Sharing What We Have Found
At its heart, evangelism is really about sharing good news.
If you have found hope in Jesus, you want other people to know where that hope came from.
If you have experienced God’s forgiveness, you want other people to know that forgiveness is available to them too.
If you have found a relationship with God that has changed your life, you want others to have the opportunity to know Him.
That does not mean everyone will respond positively.
It does not mean everyone will agree.
And it certainly does not mean Christians should force their beliefs on anyone.
It means they are sharing something they genuinely believe is important.
Mark 16:15 — Jesus Told His Followers to Preach the Gospel
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
The Christian message was never meant to remain hidden.
Jesus told His followers to take it into the world.
Why Do Christians Evangelize?
Christians evangelize because Jesus told them to share the gospel.
They do it because they believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose again.
They do it because they believe God loves people and wants them to know Him.
They do it because they believe salvation is found through Jesus Christ.
And they do it because they want other people to experience the hope, forgiveness and relationship with God that they have found.
But Christian evangelism should never be about thinking we are better than someone else.
It should not be about winning arguments.
It should not be about forcing people to believe.
And it should not be about judging people who are still searching.
It should be about sharing the truth in love.
Colossians 4:5–6 — Speak With Grace
“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
That is a beautiful way to think about evangelism.
Walk wisely.
Speak with grace.
Listen.
Answer people’s questions.
Be honest about what you believe.
Treat people with dignity.
And point them toward Jesus.
Final Thought
Christians evangelize because they believe the gospel is too important to keep to themselves.
They believe that God loves every person and that Jesus came to make a way for us to be reconciled to Him.
For someone who has found Jesus, sharing that message can feel less like trying to convince someone to join a religion and more like telling someone about the One who changed their life.
But there is also an important responsibility that comes with evangelism.
We need to remember that the person we are talking to is not a project.
They are a person.
They have their own experiences, questions, fears and doubts.
We should listen to them.
We should treat them with kindness.
We should never use fear, shame or manipulation to try to force a response.
Our job is to share the gospel faithfully and lovingly.
God is the One who changes hearts.
2 Timothy 1:7–8 — Do Not Be Ashamed of the Gospel
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.”
Evangelism does not have to look the same for everyone.
You may never preach to a crowd.
You may never stand on a street corner.
You may simply have a conversation with someone who is hurting.
You may pray for a friend.
You may share your testimony.
You may answer someone’s questions.
You may show God’s love through the way you live.
What matters is that we do not keep the good news about Jesus hidden.
If we truly believe that Jesus is the source of salvation, hope and eternal life, then sharing that hope with others is an act of love.
And sometimes, one simple conversation about Jesus can become the beginning of someone’s journey toward God.
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