Why Evangelism Fails: Lack of Grace and Relevance

Two Big Reasons Why Evangelism Isn't Working

Evangelism, the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ, is the responsibility of every Christian. However, despite our efforts, many people still find our evangelism unconvincing. In fact, studies show that one in five Americans do not believe in a deity, and less than half of the population attends religious services regularly.

Why is this so? Is it because people are resistant to the gospel? Or is it because of how we present it?

While we cannot control a person's response to the gospel, we do have control over how we present it. As Christians, it is our responsibility to preach the word and to be ready to share the gospel at all times. In this article, we will explore two big reasons why evangelism isn't working and what we can do to change that.

Reason 1: Lack of Grace

One of the biggest reasons why evangelism isn't working is because we often present the gospel without grace. We tend to come across as judgmental and condemning, which turns people off rather than draws them in.

However, the Bible tells us to "let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person" (Colossians 4:6). We need to speak with kindness and compassion, knowing that our goal is not to win an argument, but to win souls for Christ.

When we approach evangelism with grace, we are following the example of Jesus. Throughout his ministry, Jesus showed compassion and love to sinners, even when he rebuked them. He never condemned them but always offered them a way out of their sin.

One way to show grace in evangelism is to listen to people's stories and understand where they are coming from. We need to empathize with them and show them that we care about them as people, not just as potential converts. When people feel heard and understood, they are more likely to be receptive to what we have to say.

Grace in Action: The Woman at the Well

An excellent example of evangelism with grace is Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well (John 4:1-42). This woman was a Samaritan, a people group that the Jews considered to be unclean and unworthy of salvation. However, Jesus did not treat her with disdain but engaged her in conversation and showed her kindness.

He asked her for a drink of water, which was a culturally inappropriate request for a Jewish man to make of a Samaritan woman. But his request broke the ice and opened the door to a conversation about living water, which led to the woman's salvation and the salvation of many others in her community.

Jesus did not condemn the woman for her past mistakes but showed her grace and compassion. He saw her as a person in need of salvation, not as a sinner in need of judgment. When we approach evangelism in the same way, we will be much more effective in reaching people with the gospel.

Reason 2: Lack of Relevance

Another reason why evangelism isn't working is that we often present the gospel in a way that is not relevant to people's lives. We tend to use Christian jargon and speak in terms that are foreign to those who are not familiar with the Bible.

However, the Bible tells us to "walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time" (Colossians 4:5). We need to speak in a language that people can understand and relate to. We need to show them how the gospel is relevant to their lives and how it can bring them hope and meaning.

When we present the gospel in a way that is relevant, we are following the example of the apostle Paul. In Acts 17, Paul speaks to the people of Athens in a way that is relevant to their culture and worldview. He starts by acknowledging their idolatry and then introduces them to the "unknown God" who they were worshiping without knowing it.

He then explains that this "unknown God" is the God of the Bible, who created the world and everything in it. He goes on to explain how God has revealed himself through Jesus Christ and how he offers salvation to all who believe in him.

Paul's message was relevant to the Athenians because he spoke in a language that they could understand and related the gospel to their culture and worldview. When we do the same, we will be much more effective in reaching people with the gospel.

Relevance in Action: The Parable of the Sower

Another way to make the gospel relevant is through the use of parables. Jesus often used parables to illustrate spiritual truths in a way that people could understand. One of his most famous parables is the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23).

In this parable, Jesus compares the spread of the gospel to a farmer sowing seed. He explains that the seed represents the word of God, which is sown in different types of soil. Some soil is rocky, some is thorny, and some is good soil. The seed that falls on good soil represents those who hear the word of God and understand it, and it bears fruit in their lives.

This parable is relevant to people's lives because it speaks to the condition of their hearts. It shows them that the gospel is not just a message but a seed that can grow and bear fruit in their lives. When we use parables and other illustrations to make the gospel relevant, we will be much more effective in reaching people with the gospel.

Conclusion

Evangelism is a crucial part of our Christian faith, but it can be challenging to reach people with the gospel. However, by understanding the reasons why evangelism isn't working and by applying the principles of grace and relevance, we can be much more effective in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

Let us remember that our goal is not to win arguments or to convert people but to share the love and grace of Christ with those who need it. As we do so, may the Holy Spirit work in the hearts of those who hear the gospel and bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.