And the Lord said to Paul l one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (AC 18.9-11)
Election and evangelism work together. God had chosen many in Corinth – he called them “my people” – though they were not yet saved. Because they were elect, God told Paul not to fear but keep proclaiming the gospel. Far from producing apathy, God’s sovereignty fueled Paul’s evangelism.
God has people all around us that he sees as saved. Let’s go on speaking and not be silent.
Exactly. It is vastly encouraging to know that God has chosen people in advance to believe because otherwise the overwhelming burden of getting people saved would be on my shoulders, and depend on the cleverness of my own efforts (and I am not that clever).
It is very freeing to know that it doesn't depend on me. When I think about sharing the Gospel, I am greatly encouraged to keep on sharing when I remember that people who will believe ARE out there. When I think of my own ability to convince people, I get utterly discouraged and stop. When I remember that God is preparing people in advance to hear his message, I keep trying.
Amen Mark! It takes the pressure off of us (to feel we must have a perfect, eloquent gospel presentation), and frees us to proclaim the Gospel with confidence in God's power. I love what Spurgeon said about election and evangelism:
“God has called me to preach his word and if I knew that all the elect had a
yellow stripe painted down their backs, then I would give up preaching the
gospel and go lift up shirt tails!”
Great comment Bob – It really does take the pressure off us! I love that Spurgeon quote. Wish I could go through the room on Sunday and check for yellow stripes. But that would probably be awkward.