Sweat.
October 25th, 2007
A weightlifter plans a workout to focus on specific muscle groups. When I lifted regularly, I would often do five or more exercises to focus on just one muscle group. My goal was always to do three sets of each exercise with increasing intensity. What was the natural result of my hard work? –Sweat.
I climbed a small mountain once in Honduras in 100 degree weather so that I could play a concert for a school at the top of that hill. It was extremely difficult. What was the natural result of my hard work? — Sweat.
I’ve seen construction crews build structures. Many construction workers have physical strength that boggles my mind because they consistently lift very heavy things while building. Construction work is just that — it’s work. What is the natural result of this hard work? –Sweat.
I’ve never seen anyone with the ability to voluntarily control their sweat glands. It can’t be done. Sweat is simply the natural result of hard work. If you work hard — you’re going to sweat.
Imagine evangelism being a little more like the sweat of a Christian.
Imagine a Christian who spends lots of time asking God to touch the lives of their friends. Imagine a Christian who completely opens their life to God and offers their entire self to the work of God. Imagine a Christian who will spend time at the feet of Jesus reading His Word. Imagine a genuine and passionate Christian. What is the natural result of this hard work? — Evangelism.
Evangelism is the natural result of a genuine and passionate Christian.
A Christian that is working hard at their relationship with God is going to sweat.
October 25th, 2007 at 12:18 am
Okay I had more to say but I don’t want to take space in the main blog :p
Sweat isn’t the ONLY thing that comes from lifting weights – and Evangelism isn’t the only thing that comes from a passionate and genuine Christian life. But Evangelism is ONE thing that will come out of every genuine and passionate Christian life.
When evangelism comes forth like sweat — I believe its much more effective and powerful.
Okay now I’m done.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Wait no I’m not….
Let me add onto my last sentence…
When evangelism comes forth like sweat — I believe its much more effective and powerful THAN EVANGELISM THAT IS FORCED OR PROGRAMMED (i.e. most Door to door evangelism projects). I don’t think door to door is bad at all – I’ve done it, and I’ve made it work. It just has to be sweat.
October 25th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
OK, I completely agree with you. I think that the closer a person gets to God, the more that evangelism, or a heart for other people/loving your neighbors (which, if you truly love them, you will care about their salvation!), becomes a natural outflowing of who we are.
But, what about those with the gift of evangelism? How does that fit into this? Does it mean that those with the specific spiritual gift of evangelism are better at it than those that don’t have the gift? Or that if “sweats” out of them more easily? Or, maybe a better question is: How is the spiritual gift of evangelism different then this, or is it?
October 25th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
A spiritual gift is a supernatural ability. I’m not sharing concrete paths here – this is more of a philosophy for all evangelism. I think ALL spiritual gifts will come out best as sweat (the result of the “work”), so that would include the spiritual gift of evangelism as well, if that’s your gift.
But Evangelism is not JUST a spiritual gift – all Christians have the charge to evangelize.
October 29th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Adam,
In really cold weather, breaking a sweat is a death sentence. You sweat, you die.
In really cold weather, breaking a sweat is absolutely the worst possible thing you can do.
October 29th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Hey, it’s an analogy – there’s no such thing as a perfect analogy.
But good point – that’s why in “really cold weather” you need to “chuck some rocks.”
November 1st, 2007 at 1:09 am
[...] If I speak loudly, everyone in the area will notice my voice. If I live loudly, everyone in the area will notice my life. And if you notice the life of a passionate and genuine Christian, you will find Jesus. That’s how you sweat your evangelism. [...]
December 14th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
[...] God’s passion is in your core – evangelism will be a lot like sweat. GOOGLE AD Posted by Adam Filed in Evangelism, Devotional [...]
January 3rd, 2008 at 2:23 am
[...] I think many of us misunderstand how evangelism is supposed to work. I love this post about evangelism. [...]