By sis Siew Siew
Most of us have been approached by sales executives before, probably during their road show situated in the malls. Nowadays, they will approach my daughters first with a balloon in their hand, saying “Hi, this is a gift for your daughter. Don’t worry, take it, it is free!” Most of us will reply “No, thank you.” and walk away. We are afraid to take the item as we all know that in exchange for the “gift”, the agent would want something in return from us, may it be our time or buying a policy from them.
People do not like to accept gifts from others as we do not know the agenda and consequences of accepting the gift. Our parents have warned us before not to accept gifts from strangers. Nobody likes to be taken by surprise by what comes along with the “gift”. Therefore, when it comes to evangelism, we need to understand that when we approach people, they will view us in the same manner, even if our purpose can be a good one. If we offer the gospel to someone, I would suggest laying out our agenda clearly. “Would you feel upset with me if I ask you things about religion? I do not wish to make you uncomfortable.” I usually encourage people whom I share the gospel with to be transparent with their feelings, so as to not engage them in an awkward conversation in which the hearer feels that I am force feeding him or her with information when they are not ready. I wish to keep the relationship cordial in order for future conversations to be possible. It is ok to face rejection, but never lose hope. Sometimes the timing is not ripe, or the hearer may require more time to digest and internalise what has been discussed.
“But God commendeth His love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” - Romans 5:8
God has a gift for mankind, and that gift is Jesus. He is the perfect One who can take away our sins (John 1:29). The reciprocal act on our part towards God as Christians is a very simple one — continue to hold on to the gift, which is Jesus, and chose to cling to God no matter what. Christians have the answers to where this marvellous gift can be found and are told to pass on the message. But sometimes, we do not have the zeal to deliver that message as we fail to see the severity and importance of evangelism. Shall we sit here until we die (2Kings 7:3), hogging on to the gospel message without spreading it to the world?
I remember watching an interview of a North Korea defector who shared how he and his friend would notify and help each other to get food when the food ration bus arrived in their town. They were severely malnourished children who would help one another by spreading the word as they knew that each meal was crucial for their survival. Do we see people without the gospel as being severely malnourished spiritually? How convinced are we that people without the gospel will be judged unfavourably on the last day? If we are truly convinced, will we go the extra mile to make careful consideration to strike conversations with people outside the kingdom, so that we may reach out to them? Do we wait for opportunities or create opportunities for ourselves to talk to people about the gospel?
After accepting the gift of salvation, we Christians are indeed free from the debt of sin, but we become debtors to people who do not know the gospel. Do we feel the same responsibility that Paul felt?
“I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.” - Rom 1:14,15
Being in debt as a Christian is one that is out of love, because we have experienced the love of God, and we are obliged to pass it on to others in hope that others would experience that same love and be saved.
The gift is in our hands, would we pass it on today?