Day 24 - What Is Successful Evangelism?

It is disheartening to often witness an over emphasis on statistics and quantifiable results as a measure of success in ministry. Some "evangelists'' and churches feel the need to constantly record numbers, fearing that without such validation, their ministry won't be recognized or respected. This performance-driven mindset can hinder true evangelism, shifting the focus away from genuine obedience and reliance on God's sovereign plans.

Oftentimes, Jesus would remove himself from crowds to focus on the “one”. While this approach might appear inefficient to some, it is evident from the Bible that Jesus prioritized aligning with the Father's heart over what most would deemed "effective." Rather than focusing solely on reaching large crowds for maximum impact, Jesus consistently lived as a reflection of God's love, even if it contradicted conventional human wisdom.

You don’t have to look very far to find Jesus putting this into action:

● Jesus waits an additional 2 days after hearing Lazarus was extremely ill before going to him. (John 11)

● Jesus continually healing on the Sabbath knowing the Pharisees would challenge and threaten Him. (Luke 6, John 5)

● Jesus rebukes Judas for suggesting Mary’s perfume should have been sold and given to the poor. (John 12)

We must remember that successful evangelism is not about our interpretation of “impact”. God's ways are higher than ours, and He values obedience, faithfulness, and the transformation happening within us as we align ourselves with the character of Christ. Our primary goal should be to faithfully obey God's command to share the message of salvation and allow His love to compel us, rather than being driven by external measures of success.

James 1:22 reminds us, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." Successful evangelism involves more than hearing or knowing the Word of God, but living it out in obedience. It's not about having all the answers or being perfect; rather, it's about authentically reflecting Christ's love, grace, and truth through our actions and words. As we grow in obedience to God's Word, we become more effective instruments in His hands to reach others with the message of salvation.

As we shift our focus to obeying the Lord, recognize that our obedience is not a transactional act. We don't obey God simply to receive blessings or rewards. Instead, our obedience stems from a deep gratitude and awe for who God is and what He has done for us. Romans 12:1 urges us, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." Our obedience becomes an act of worship as we respond to God's mercy and surrender ourselves to His will.

Challenge: Today, I challenge you to reevaluate your perspective on success in evangelism. Shift your focus from external measures to internal transformation and obedience to God's Word. Resist the temptation to seek validation through numbers or visible results remembering that He cares more about our hearts than our ministries. Instead, trust in God's sovereignty and rely on His grace to guide your

evangelistic efforts. Remember that true success lies in faithfully obeying God's call to share the message of salvation, regardless of the outcomes we see. May the love of Christ compel you to reach others with gentleness and respect, trusting that God will work through your obedience for His glory.