What Should Sharing the Gospel Feel Like?

Evangelical Christianity leaves different tastes in everyone’s mouths, depending on their experiences. For some, it’s a hopeful and energetic taste, like crisp apple. For others, it’s a comforting taste, like smooth honey. But for many, unfortunately, it leaves a bitter or tart taste.

There are many reasons for the unpleasantness surrounding “Evangelical Christianity”, but at the core of them all is this: the sharer of the Word did not fully understand or appreciate the meaning and feeling of the gospel.

As someone who grew up, and remains, in an evangelical denomination, I still believe it is important — vital, life-giving even — to share the gospel. However, our mindset and intentions are essential to whether or not sharing the gospel blesses unbelievers.

So…What should Sharing the gospel feel like?

For my birthday one year, I was given a generous box of beautifully arranged sweets. Each set within the box was so delicately arranged, almost too adorable to eat.

My first inclination was to share these sweets with people in my life. I knew it would bring them joy, and sure enough, whenever I shared them, the receiver’s face lit up with delight.

While there are certainly difficult and painful aspects of being a follower of Christ (and they shouldn’t be sugarcoated), the heart of the gospel is one of joy. It is a gift to be able to have the Holy Spirit with us in each moment. It is astounding to comprehend that Jesus loves us so much, He died for us. And it’s even more incredible to realize the God we worship is powerful enough to overcome everything, even death.

When you share the gospel, remember that you are extending a gift to someone else. You are offering it, not forcing it or manipulating it into their hands. And their hands must be open to receive.

You never know what someone will do with a gift you give them. They may toss it aside and forget about it. They may dig it up years later, when they are ready, and be touched by it. They may hold it close to their hearts and be transformed by it. Perhaps they will be spurred on to share it with others. And of course, there’s always the possibility that they may reject it entirely.

Your role changes once the gift has been given. Depending on your relationship with this person, you may walk alongside them, loving them and answering questions that are posed to you. Or your role may be over once the gift has been given.

Perhaps it will be years before the person truly receives your gift, but your job is not to speed up the process or push them into a decision. And sometimes, we aren’t called to share the gospel in certain situations.

What, you might be thinking, how is that biblical at all?

This month, I’ve been rereading Acts, and I stumbled upon this passage, which surprised me, but over time made sense:

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷ When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. ⁸ So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. ⁹ During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Acts 16:6-10

Paul is the definition of a gospel-spreader, in many ways. He devoted his life to it. Even so, the Holy Spirit prevented him from speaking to certain groups of people. That doesn’t mean these people weren’t loved less by God, but perhaps their hearts weren’t ready or hearing the gospel at that time would’ve hurt their faith rather than helped it. I’m sure you can think of moments in history when the gospel wasn’t shared in a helpful or loving way.

There are three really important things to remember before sharing the gospel:

1. Feel a clear prompting from the Holy Spirit. This can look like, but isn’t limited to, having an unbeliever come into your life/mind repeatedly, feeling a strong sense during prayer or when reading the Bible, or being in the present moment with someone and feeling the nudge to share.
2. Share your story. Of course, you aren’t obligated to give out your personal testimony to every person you see. However, when you share about the gospel, it’s important to highlight how God has transformed your life. Why is this message important to you? What circumstances in your life cause you to want others to experience God too?
3. Bless others with your words and actions. The message of Jesus is a blessing for us to receive and to share. We must give from a full heart, spending time enriching our own faith and being among a community of believers. We cannot share the gospel in a compelling way when we are deprived in our own spiritual life. View this gift Jesus has given us as a blessing rather than an obligation or a burden to carry.

I pray that as you are sent off this Sunday, you remember how much Jesus loves you. His power is within you, so you do not have to fear when the time will come for you to share His powerful testimony. Your life alone is a testimony to God’s faithfulness.

To you, Lord, I called;
    to the Lord I cried for mercy:
⁹ “What is gained if I am silenced,
    if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
    Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
¹⁰ Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;
    Lord, be my help.”

¹¹ You turned my wailing into dancing;
    you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
¹² that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
    Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

Psalm 30:8-12