Recently I read an article that discussed the decline of Christian evangelism – in that many Christians today (especially younger Christians) are so desperate for acceptance in our society (that is, in our fallen world) that they choose not to take Christ out of the worship facility into society (particularly among their peers). Consequently, the silence is unwittingly killing the church’s witness of the Gospel message.
From the fear of rejection and society’s scare tactics, three types of Christians have emerged. The first type is the Couch-potato Christians. These Christians adapt to the culture by staying silent on the tough culture-and-faith discussions. Typically, this group will downplay God’s absolute truths by promoting the illusion that neutrality was Jesus’ preferred method of evangelism. This group has never understood what the apostle Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-5,
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
The second type is the Cafeteria-style Christians. This group picks and chooses which Scripture passages to live by, opting for the ones that best seem to align with culture. (Of course this means that the “chosen” Scripture passages they live by are constantly changing due to the ebb and flow of societal evolution.) Typically, they focus solely on the “nice” parts of the gospel while simultaneously and intentionally minimizing sin, hell, repentance and transformation. This group has never understood what the apostle Paul stated in Acts 20:27,
“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”
Likewise what he stated in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18,
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Additionally, the following Scriptures should be considered.
1 Corinthians 16:13,
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
Philippians 1:27,
“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”
The third type is the Convictional Christians. In the face of the culture’s harsh admonitions, these Christians refuse to be silent. Mimicking Jesus, they compassionately talk about love and grace while also sharing with their neighbors the need to recognize and turn from sin. This group clearly understands, defend, live and share the following Scriptures.
John 3:16,
“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.”
Matthew 28:19-20,
“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.”
Mark 16:15,
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
While it may be true that throughout your life (irrespective of how old you may be now) you have lived within each type of the listed “Christian” groups, the question is, “What type of ‘Christian’ are you now?” The lost need to hear the Gospel message; for, if you will not tell them about Jesus Christ and His saving grace – who will?
