The Joyful Cost of Evangelism: Embracing the Mission with Resilience

At the turn of the twentieth century, Theodore Roosevelt wrote these gripping words in his riveting book The Strenuous Life:

“Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, and difficulty.”

When considering one of the more difficult and often intimidating aspects of being a disciple of Jesus—sharing the gospel—nothing could be closer to the truth. Evangelism undoubtedly takes effort, will cost you your comfort, and often comes with much difficulty. However, few things in the Christian life are more rewarding than actively participating in God’s mission of reconciling the world to Himself.

As I wrote this article, I considered what was most helpful for me when I first got started and remembered three encouragements that offered tremendous help. As you read them, I hope they will encourage you and stir up your faith toward obedience.

1. Develop a Biblical Theology of Evangelism

At the most fundamental level, evangelism is the proclamation or telling of the good news of Jesus Christ with a call to repentance. The word evangelism is derived from the Greek word “εὐαγγέλιον,” pronounced “euangelion,” which means “good news.” The gospel is just that—good news that people can come into a relationship with God through Christ’s atoning death on the cross. Evangelism is sharing this news with someone and calling them to turn from their sin and trust in the Savior.

Developing a biblical theology of evangelism is crucial. It helps us define what it is and differentiate it from the church’s numerous yet wonderful outreach ministries. Examples of such ministries may include feeding people experiencing homelessness, offering free health services, caring for orphans, prison programs, and other beautiful outreach efforts that display the heart of Jesus in the world. However, in contrast to these ministries, biblical evangelism at its core is the verbal proclamation of the gospel.

As disciples of Jesus, we faithfully follow our Lord’s example not only by meeting the world’s practical and physical needs but also through biblical evangelism. Indeed, evangelism is central to the Great Commission, the final command of Jesus to “GO into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:9)

2. Build Your Evangelistic Muscles

You probably don’t feel ready if you’re anything like me when I first started. You may even be waiting for that “spark” of power or fearlessness to get started. Unfortunately, for myself and most Christians I’ve spoken to, this “spark” usually doesn’t come.

From the last five years of consistent sharing, I’ve learned that evangelism is less like a unique gift certain Christians are born with and is more likened to a muscle that needs to be trained. It will be very weak at first and will take some training to build initial strength. But once you do, it will get much more muscular over time. However, it would help if you kept it active because it will atrophy without regular use.

I encourage you to start small. When I started, I couldn’t imagine just walking up to someone and sharing the gospel—the thought terrified me. So, I began with small things. I started by sharing with people that I was a Christian. Then I found something called gospel tracts, little booklets with the gospel on them, that I could hand out without having to use my own words. Next, I found creative ways in conversation to ask people how I could pray for them. This was bearing good fruit, and eventually, I began sharing the gospel with people regularly. The key is to take the first step. Often, introducing spirituality into the conversation is the hardest part.

Strive for consistency, not perfection! There will be lots of conversations that feel awkward and challenging. However, inconveniencing someone or making them uncomfortable is a small sacrifice compared to what our Savior endured.

3. Embrace the Joy of Suffering for Christ

Just a couple of chapters before Jesus was killed on the cross, he shared these sobering words with his disciples:

“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember what I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:19-20)

According to Jesus, if he was hated and rejected by the world, you will be too. This is a hard pill to swallow, especially for Christians like myself who have struggled with people-pleasing. However, to become faithful evangelists, we must come to grips with this reality. In our flesh, we often want to avoid evangelism because of its discomfort, but what if we saw it as an opportunity for great joy?

I still remember the day several years ago when I went out to share the gospel in downtown Oklahoma City with a friend of mine who was an experienced evangelist. I was terrified. I will never forget the smile and joy I saw on his face when he asked me this seemingly bizarre question:

“Are you ready to get rejected for Christ?”

This question caught me off guard and caused me to laugh nervously. But strangely, that day, rejection was liberating for me. I realized that rejection wasn’t something to be avoided any longer but something that should be expected and an opportunity to take joy in.

This Christ-like joy amid rejection and suffering goes against our very nature as fallen human beings and taps into the very heart of our Savior. As Isaiah 53 tells us, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53:3)

Despite this, Hebrews 12 tells us that it was “for the joy that was set before him [that he] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Brothers, I know evangelism is difficult. It will come at a great cost, but remember that Christ will not call you to go where He Himself has not first gone. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take great joy.