Staying Focused

As we look out on the fields, we should see that they are ripe for the harvest. Everywhere around us, there are men, women, and children who desperately need the gospel. Every person you meet has an eternal soul that will either go to heaven or to hell for all eternity, and that moment you have with them, no matter how small, could have tremendous implications on where they wind up. Sometimes we have a few seconds, sometimes we have a few minutes, and sometimes more, but let us make the most out of every opportunity to reach out to the lost while we can.
Now, because we live in the land of plenty, I believe it is especially difficult to remain focused in our culture. Often when I want to approach someone with the gospel, a little thought creeps in that tells me that they would not be interested in the things of God because they've got everything they could want. I mean, just about everyone in America has a nice home, a car and a job, with plenty of food tucked away in their pantry. Not to mention all the wonderful freedoms we enjoy and all the attractions and pleasures that are at our fingertips. How can I make grace the amazing grace that it is to someone who, at least on the outside, has it pretty good?
If you lose your focus and allow those thoughts to crowd out the simplicity if the message, in a flash of a second, you can go from "bold as a lion" to running away with your tail between your legs. The key is to remember that we are not offering a life enhancement program when we share the truth of the gospel, otherwise we would limit our audience to the down-and-out and the rock-bottom hitters. We are sharing the truth about the One who is life itself. The bum on the street without Jesus lacks the same thing as the Wall Street businessman without Jesus... forgiveness of sins. Neither one of those men has any peace, (something you have) and according to 2 Corintinans 5, the Lord has put you in their path to tell them about Him.

2Co 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
2Co 5:19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Incredible isn't it? That God has "committed" it to us. He has entrusted us , and ordained that we should be his ministers. The passage goes on to say that we are ambassadors for Christ, and that we should be pleading with men and women to be reconciled to God. Why does the apostle say this? Why should we plead with the sinner? Because if we truly understand and meditate for a moment on their fate, then we won't be able to help but to plead with them.

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
2Co 5:11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men

It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God! Yet how often do we hear that sort of message declared? Is it because we are afraid of offending the listener? If we really cared for them, we wouldn't succumb to the fear of man and water down our message, but we would plead with them, beg them to respond to the gospel. Just read Revelation 20 and see what lies ahead for the unregenerate, and really let it grip you as you understand the devastation they are headed for. This mindset is what will keep you focused in those moments of discouragement or fear, (which we all experience) and help you remember the basic core of the gospel message, which the apostle tells us in the same chapter...

2Co 5:19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

So stick to the basic message, and it won't matter who you're talking to, a Buddhist, Muslim, Jew, atheist, intellectual, college professor, bum, etc., you can always find an ally within the person's conscience when you speak about their need of forgiveness of sins. It is universal among mankind, because God has given every son and daughter of Adam the conscience. Not everyone you meet will be looking for a life enhacement program, but everyone knows they've sinned against the Lord, because he's placed it in our hearts. It's the key to reaching anyone you might want to witness to. You can argue for hours on useless rabbit trails, but until you bring it back to the fact that they've sinned against heaven and desperately need God's forgiveness, the cross will remain foolishness to them and grace will not seem all too amazing at all.
So share with boldness, and share often! If you are a new believer or are new to evangelizing, just take baby steps. Share your own testimony of how you came to understand the gospel. Pass out tracts to people and let the written word work in their hearts. You've got the promise that He will never leave you or forsake you, and that He'll be with you wherever you go.
So don't let them scare you! Because when it comes to the kind of peace that really matters, you're the one holding all the marbles.