Reach or Raise Up
A bit of insider baseball.
There’s always been tension between what people think of as evangelism and discipleship.
Evangelism is about reaching people with the gospel.
Discipleship is about raising people to live the gospel.
I find that tension strange. It can’t really be a choice between one or the other. I have a left foot and a right foot. I need both to walk. Sure. I can figure out how to get around on crutches or in a wheelchair, but two healthy legs working together are God’s original design for everywhere He wants me to go.
Consider this…
A group of people that only ever sit in a room studying a book are called students, not disciples.
A group of people that only ever push people to make a decision are called salesmen, not evangelists.
The most visible evidence of effective discipleship is when disciples share the gospel. The most natural outcome of sharing the gospel is seeing disciples raised up who walk with Jesus.
Galatians 5 tells us to, “…walk in the Spirit.”
With every step, you have to put one foot in front of the other. Things get awkward when one foot never lets the other take the lead.
Reach people. Raise them up. Then do it again.
What’s your next step of obedience?
