by Bud Lambert
Properly measuring the success or failure of our evangelistic efforts is essential for the future growth and survival of the church. The question is, however, what criteria should we use that will give us a godly assessment of our efforts?
In I Thessalonians 2:1-12, in response to accusations that his evangelistic efforts were a failure, Paul defended his evangelistic mission in Thessalonica as successful by citing three godly criteria for successful evangelism which he had used among them. We should measure our evangelism by these criteria.
One criterion is righteously proclaiming the gospel. Paul judged his evangelistic mission in Thessalonica as successful because he righteously proclaimed the gospel ( 1 Thessalonians 2:16). There are three general features of the righteous proclamation of the gospel - - proclaiming it boldly (v. 2); proclaiming it truthfully (v. 3); and proclaiming it with pure motives (vs. 3-6). We do successful evangelism only if we righteously proclaim the gospel.
Another criterion is lovingly sharing ourselves with the lost. Paul judged his evangelism
in Thessalonica as successful because he lovingly shared himself ( 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9). He lovingly shared himself by joyfully and sacrificially giving up his God-given, personal right of fmancial support for preaching the gospel. We do successful evangelism only if we are willing to joyfully and sacrificially give up some of our personal rights so that the lost can hear the gospel.
A final criterion Paul points out in this text is properly associating with the lost and fellow members of the church. Paul judged his evangelistic mission in Thessalonica as successful because of his godly associations there ( 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12). He behaved justly, holy, and blamelessly among them (v. 10). He also encouraged them, comforted them, and urged them to live lives worthy of God (vs. 11;12). We are doing successful evangelis-m only if we are properly associating with the lost and our brethren.
Proper measurement of our evangelistic efforts is essential. Three God-given criteria we should use in measuring our efforts are 1) righteously proclaiming the gospel 2) lovingly sharing ourselves, and 3) properly associating with the lost.
Are you doing successful evangelism?