“. . .preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
In his last words to his friend Timothy, Paul provides us with vital instruction in evangelism. Such guidance is vital for us in our contemporary society which closely resembles the 1st Century Roman Empire. Today the truth of the gospel of Jesus needs to be preached with boldness as Paul recommends. Many, if not most people, like the ancient Romans, are pluralistic. Most tolerate and accept numerous, varied, and competing gods, religions, and philosophies without thinking about the contradictions such acceptance implies. America, founded on Judeo-Christian principles based on the 10 commandments, now rejects those principles in favor of an individual’s right to choose. Just as it was in the days of Judges, everyone does what is right in his or her own eyes without regard to what Almighty God has said. Consequently, adultery, fornication, sexual immorality, lying, and corruption are no longer considered sins or, in many cases, even crimes. Instead, they are acceptable and normal expressions of alternate lifestyles.
In addition, in an effort to attract new people and money, many churches and have adopted beliefs, ideas and practices from these competing philosophies and religions, teachings alien to Biblical Christianity. Many have embraced eastern mysticism and popular psychology, watering down the gospel of salvation by faith in Jesus alone. They present a gospel that makes Christianity just a feel-good religion of self-fulfillment with man as the central focus, not God. Feelings, self-determination, self-esteem, and experiences are more important than truth.
And like it or not, God has chosen us to preach His gospel for this time and for His purpose. He wants to use us to bring His word to the lost people in this world. He has chosen us each one of us and has given us the tools we need to carry out the mission, the same tools Christians have been using for 2000 years. He has left us His Holy Spirit acting through The Church and the Word to guide us, to empower us to carry out that work. Therefore we must try to understand other people so we can present the gospel in the way that will most effectively challenge them. This takes great patience. We are dealing with sinful, rebellious and difficult people. We are not to approach them with legalistic, self-righteous and arrogant attitudes but should embody the message of God’s love, grace, long-suffering and compassion.