MichaelH, what you wrote resonates with my current understanding. Unfortunately the response I received when I stated it was that it was a copout. My friend states that while some have a specific calling to evangelize as a dominant part of their ministry, all are required to evangelize as part of general obedience to the Great Commission. I'm just trying to understand if there is a Scriptural basis for this universal position, and if so, what it is.
Well, OK........... I mean it's a Calling and a specific direction from God. If I say your not a good christian because you don't "GO OUT" and evangelize then I have no scripture to back that statement against you.
Now if your telling someone about Jesus aT a Ball game, or car wash, then that is what we do. It's doing the plan of God, and being a witness while doing that plan.
Peter instructed us to do this by the Holy Spirit.
1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and
be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Being ready always takes time with God everyday, time in the word and preparing our heart (With a cup of coffee) to leave the house and be a light. We are told by scripture to have a answer to everyone that Ask us about our hope, our joy, our blessing the see God give us, ECT......
It's not like we set out to pound on doors and take up street corners proclaiming the Word or spending a bunch of money to get involved with some mission trip. (Not that the Lord may not ask us to go, be led)
here is another one.............Instruction to Timothy personally, but I believe we can use them.
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
The key here again is that we just stay ready, stay a light, stay a witness, stay full of fruit others see. A Pastor does not preach out of season words, but we might have to when dealing with people we run into.
What is "IN" season and "OUT" season. Paul quoted OT again so we need to take a look at it.
Isa 50:4 The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that
I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
Pro 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth:
and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
A Word in Season is something from God for a person that is their exact answer to their issue. It means their heart is ready to hear and do whatever it takes to fix something in their life. It's a "IN" Season Word for them, the answer.
A Word out of Season is someone that needs help, but would not be able to bare yet the thing that fixes the root of the problem, so we encourage with the Word instead and comfort. Like telling a person they have to move out their live in Boy friend. They might be able to hear that yet, or tell them to stop wearing t-shirts with skulls. Even if that is their root issue, it does not good telling them something they can't receive yet until God gets their heart ready to be in season to hear. It's best to let them know you care, and wait, else we just offend them and loose our witness.
We are to be ready to give a "IN" season Word and "Out" of season Word. Someone beat down a weary often will take the "IN" season. Someone that is not struggling so much may not receive the "IN" season word yet, but we can encourage.
If a Persons heart can't receive yet, then giving them the "IN" Word just offends them.
Here is another.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(2Ti 2:15)
The only scripture where we do something to get God's approval to be used. We all need to study and be ready no matter what God has for us to do.