Lifestyle Evangelism

[survivor4christ]

When it comes to evangelism, I hear a lot of times many mention that more than what we say what is a more powerful witness to live it than to speak it.

You all know what I mean, right?

I understand that others are looking at our lifestyles as Christians. And we are admonished in James to live the Word unless we walk away and not know who we are. It is just a matter of obedience...

But as far as evangelism is concerned, where exactly in the Word does it say this? What scripture can be used to back up this? Or is it another Christian cliche made up by trinies who don't have enough Word, or reject some of the Word, to back up what they think they believe?

I personally think that there is no evangelism w/o it being spoken. The Word that formed the earth meant nothing until God spoke it into existence. The Word says that by the foolishness of preaching we are saved. Not by watching the minister or evangelist's life.

Any thoughts, scriptures, revelations, insights....?

Love, Sis. Wenona

[pastorb]

My Niece asked me one time, "Uncle Byron, wny do we have to always act saved, who are we being saved for?"

My reply was this, I beseech ye therefore Brethren by the merceis of God, that you would present your bodies as a living sacrifice. Which is what we should do because of who we are.

And be not compromising with the world but be changed or repented by the regeneration of your mind, (and here is why)

That we may prove to the world by our conversation and life style, what is that good, and what is acceptable, and in the perfect will of God.

As to your question on Evangelism we are to evangelize the very word itself come from the word Evangelian which is the good news (The gospel of Jesus Christ)

And Romans 10:14 says, How then shall the call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without (a preacher) one who is willing to proclaim the gospel or the truth.

We are Ambassadors representing a Foreign land, Heaven.

We are Ministers of Reconciliation.

So keep Preaching my sister and my wife said the Lord Bless you :-)

[survivor4christ]

So in other words,

We are to live the life out of obedience, but proclaim the truth. It bothered me for a long time when people said, "you talk a good walk...but are you living it?"

At the time I was not where I needed to be. But it was my whole hearted belief that since the power of life and death is in the tongue, we as believers should proclaim what the Bible says about us, even if we have not attained that status yet. It is called faith. Speaking those things that are not as though they are.

For example, say a zealous Christian was slipping. Loved the Lord with all their heart, but just kept falling short. Instead of being overcome with guilt and condemnation, not the normal, healthy kind, but the oppressing kind that keeps one out of the presence of God, where there is refreshing, restoration and renewal.

Instead of being overcome with their sin and succumbing to being totally backslidden, this believer boldly starts proclaiming what the Word says about them...to everyone. Others would say, 'you're a hypocrite...' but that believer does not care. They still keep proclaiming the Word over their lives, awaiting full manifestation of their deliverance.

It eventually comes to pass, years later.

Would you all say that this has occurred b/c of the believer's strong faith and proclamation of such, or not? In spite of the slips, God honored His Word over that believer's life. How much of a role do you believe this believer's proclamation of their impending deliverance played in their being restored and healed spiritually?

I know it seems I am drifting here and there, but I really have a focus here.

Love, Sis. Wenona

[tufluv]

MY THOUGHTS:
Living what we "preach" is not all that hard., really. It takes unconditional devotion and LOVE for GOD, conviction and NO COMPROMISE!! No, not PERFECTION as many people love to label that ambition, (as only JESUS/GOD is perfect) but the "WORD never returns void"...when spoken to someone, who readily receives it, and especially when READ by anyone, it is power! It helped me when I backslid for about 7 years, and I finally reached for it out of desperation., 6 yrs. ago, and it manifested itself into what it [THE WORD] is: "LIFE" unto me, and began my road to a full recovery, culminating into what I am today, and will be tomorrow, forever and ever, AMEN!!!

BUT as for being a living example, what Paul says about us being "living epistles" to be read by all, then of course that apply to what and how people see us as, [not all of which we can control, for some's "receptors" are either fuzzy, or "blocked"], especially at "first impression" which is lasting and cannot be erased., like I had said in earlier archived posts, the world at large's main sense-ical focus is what they see with their "fleshly, worldly" eyesight, not spiritual eyesight., so this can mistakenly perceive us as being just any ole person like themselves.
:(
So then that (outer projections), that mirror inner holiness, should be an underlying priority for anyone hoping to evangelize the lost, AFTER, the priority of becoming a blood-bought acts2:38 disciple of JESUS CHRIST. There are many types of evangelism, yes, but the one-on-one approach is a more lasting impression, from which one can build upon, (or see it crumble). It does take a lot of HOLYGHOST guidance, inspiration, and our being ready, willing, and able to be that "voice" for GOD!
He will put into our remembrance things he has spoken, and give us the words needed at that particular time and occasion.
"WHOMEVER HAS EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR"![paraphrased] as JESUS said many times in his earthly ministry. :angel:

[pastorb]

I understand what you are saying but if we are tripping over the same old thing there is a problem.

1 John 3:8,9 Nine should apply to us more than eight.

As real as I am in front of my wife and kids, I'm real in front of the saints as well. A doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways.

Remember the way of the law breaker is hard we shouldn't have any problem if we walk in the light as he is in the light...

[nytxn1971]

Mat 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Our light is something the world is supposed to see in us and in our lives. Knowing that... What is our light according to this passage of scripture?

[survivor4christ]

I never seen that, Bro. Ron.

Thanks!

Sis. Wenona