Why evangelize?

In this blog I would like to pay attention to the next question that I found in my mailbox.

Hi Andre, … I have now been listening to some of your sermons, and I understand what is meant by ”eternal” (eonian)  life. That this is the age to come, and that afterwards the incorruptible life begins. It is something I can deal with. But my question is: if eventually all humans share in the incorruptible, glorious life with Christ, why did all these missionaries then give their lives to bring the message? In the end all will be good for all these people anyway. Should I give my life for it? Why evangelise? So those people will then miss than the eonian life. Is that bad for them? Is that a punishment for them? They are still dead and do not know what they are missing, right? with kind regards,

Isn’t the question of why so many missionaries have given their lives, not preceded by a much more fundamental question? Why did Jesus Christ have to give his life? Why did He pay the high price of Himself? Listen to Paul’s answer (1Tim.2)

³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of GOD our Saviour; ⁴ Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is ONE GOD, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; ⁶ Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

The one God wants all men to be saved and the one mediator paid the ransom for that purpose. For all! That is the testimony that as a good message would sound worldwide. And that is what Paul, the only, by Christ Jesus himself,  delegated missionary among the nations was committed to. He also continues …

⁷ Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

The message that should sound as a trustworthy word is completely clear. And Paul himself was committed to this as no other. Libel defamation was his share, especially from religious orthodox side. This witness became a martyr. But that did not stop him on the contrary. Listen to how he himself put it: (1 Tim.4)

⁹   This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. ¹⁰ For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living GOD, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. ¹¹  These things command and teach.

Behold the content of his message. Timothy is instructed to teach this. Not as an option. Or even as far as it suited him. No, “command and teach it.” Each deviation from this message is no Gospel. Regardless with how much passion and commitment it may be preached. It is the content that determines whether it is a good message or not. There are Religious messages in abundance. But the question is: does one tell what Paul had to make public? Another reason why the Gospel should be told, is that GOD is a Savior, especially of believers. Those who are called and convinced today, are among the first men who God will use for the ages to come. They are an elected group , an ekklesia with a special privileged role and position. How would this ekklesia be gathered otherwise than through the transmission of the Gospel? Besides this all there is also an intrinsic motive to tell the Gospel. I.e. if something really is good news, then it wants to be told. Who, for example has been told by the medical doctor to have been cured of a life-threatening ailment, will definitely want to share this with others. Or just try to keep it to yourself if you have won the lottery. Or if you have obtained the deeply desired diploma. Something like that has to come out. How much greater is the value of the proof of God’s love for the world and that Jesus Christ will swallow up death and everyone will live? Such facts are so big, that need to be told. Without this knowledge a human is  ignorant and wandering in a dark world. And isn’t that exactly what sin is: missing the mark? How could people believe if the Gospel is not told to them? Why would people be provided with food, drink and clothing but withheld from the most important thing: Hope that does really make alive? And truth which sets free! Reason enough to herald who is God and what He has to say. So pass it on!

Delen: