Hear Joni talk about what you shouldn’t do when sharing the Gospel with someone.
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SHAUNA: This is Shauna on Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Today Joni asks us, “What do you think it means to share the Gospel?”
JONI: I remember many years ago, back on our family farm, telling my story to a couple of girls who had come to visit. Arlene was a Christian, and she brought her college roommate to meet me. Now, Arlene thought that my story would encourage her friend. “But Joni,” she said, “please don’t be too specific; you know, don’t say too much about Jesus. My roommate’s not a Christian, and I really don’t want to overwhelm her; is that okay?” Well, I gave my Christian friend a funny look. Because it was around the time I’d finally gotten straight with Jesus, and I knew beyond a doubt it was him who had lifted me up out of depression – who had made the difference.
And looking back, I have to confess I abided by Arlene’s wishes. That day as we talked, I gave vague references to the Bible and to God, but I ended up not saying very much. But now, decades later, I sure wish I would have. Because I’ve lost track of Arlene, and I have no idea where her college roommate is; I don’t even remember her name. But she could still be lost. Oh, she may have left that family farm that day more encouraged, or more heartened, but she may well be as lost now as she was then. And that still weighs heavily on my heart, even now, so many years later.
In sharing this story, I wonder, what do you do when you “give” the Gospel? Do you merely give vague references to the Bible? Do you say the word “God,” thinking that they will take the hint, that they will somehow “get” what you’re trying to get across? You know, often, we convince ourselves that sharing the good news, giving the Gospel, is just helping sad people feel good about themselves as we interject a reference to the Bible. Or if we are really brave, the name of Jesus. But is, in fact, that presenting the Gospel? In Romans 1:16, Paul says that the Gospel is “the power of God for salvation.” When we communicate the Gospel, we’re communicating that God has the power to save people from their sin. Not just their disappointment over a job loss or a breakup with a boyfriend. The cross isn’t about addressing our sad feelings [although, for the believer, the cross does that, indeed]. No, it’s about rescuing souls from the grasp of the devil. Greg Morse says [and I quote here]:
“This feel-good Gospel promotes a shallow form of happiness, not holiness. It focuses on man’s needs, and not God’s glory.… It encourages us to fight anxiety because anxiety is not helping you sleep at night. Or to quit pornography because it’s not preparing you for a good marriage. Forgive your mother because you are only hurting yourself when you don’t. Conquer envy because it’s not making you happy. To achieve these ends – that is, to sleep better, to secure a spouse, to stop the self-abuse of unforgiveness, or to become happier – the feel-good Gospel invites us to rub God’s bottle and ask for him to fix our present inconvenience – not to forgive or transform us. It beckons us to settle for rejuvenation and not regeneration.”
SHAUNA: So, go ahead and encourage the heavy hearts of non-believers. Just remember, there’s a lot more to actually giving the Gospel; the message – that’s the power of God for salvation. And if you’re looking for help in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, go to joniradio.org today and be blessed!
© Joni and Friends