Social Justice and Evangelism 3

When it comes to discipleship, I make the following assumption: You can only really give what you got. The great commission was given to those that had been discipled, not to the newly converted or non-discipled. You can't teach somebody how to be emersed in the trinitarian presence until you have emersed yourself in the trinitarian presence. You can't teach people how to do the things Jesus taught until you have figured out how to do the things Jesus taught. Until you learn how to do these things you are the target of the Great Commission not its implementer.

I have not always held this assumption. Shortly after my conversion in my spiritual infancy, I was taken to the streets to evangelize. Being bold and "preaching the gospel" was encouraged and valued. I have to confess, though, that through most of my Christian life that type of hit-and-run evangelism has not sat well with me and, thus, I did not do much of it. I have heard it taught that that sort of discomfort was a sign of spiritual warfare. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't.

I read a comment on a blog today that articulated some thoughts about evangelism well:
I think our American culture has tended to view it [evangelism] as a primarily individual effort, and while that component can certainly be effective, I think the greater truth of the gospel will most certainly be the witness of a healthy, Jesus shaped, justice-beauty focused, community. Postmodernism demands a context for truth, and the faith community (if it is healthy and productive) is the greatest resource we have to advance the reality of the Kingdom.

What is the context in which truth is best spoken? I would think it would be one where love is genuine and demonstrated. One where we identify with the needs of the person, feel sorrow for their situation, and feel compelled to do something to meet their needs - not primarily because we want to evangelize them, but because we love them. That seems to be the example Jesus left us. That is why I am not sure exceptional love can be separated from true evangelism. Words can and do help, but they just confirm what love has already communicated. But at times the words are overwhelmed by the truth demonstrated by love.

There have been times when we gave beds to a family where we have told them that God loves them because he put it in our hearts to build them the beds. There have been times when we said little but just looked them in the eyes with love. In both occassions, I have sensed that the truth of God's love for them was communicated effectively.

My point? We need to learn how to tap into the divine resources that will change our hearts so that we can learn to love like God does - exceptionally. That will be the wind in the sails of our evangelism. Then we will have something to say - or won't need to.