“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17–18
You’ve probably had this experience yourself: two well-dressed individuals knock on your door—Jehovah’s Witnesses. Or maybe you’ve seen two young men riding through town on bicycles, full of zeal and dressed in ties—Mormon missionaries. I remember seeing them and thinking to myself, “If only this passion and effort were being used for the true gospel of Christ—what an impact it could have!”
But instead of spreading truth, they promote a counterfeit. And this has always been the enemy’s tactic—to use imitation in order to pollute the truth and discourage genuine obedience. It’s not a new strategy. In the book of Nehemiah, when the Israelites were rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, a man named Sanballat—along with others—joined himself to the work, not to help, but to hinder. He came under the pretense of unity but sought only to oppose and derail the mission. Yet Nehemiah saw through the deception. He didn’t stop or get distracted. He stayed focused on the assignment from God. Likewise, when false teachings go out boldly and consistently, the Church must not retreat or grow weary. We must rise, speak, and stay faithful to the work Christ has given us.
Our text this morning reminds us that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old life is gone; the new has come. But the passage goes further: it tells us that God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. This means that every believer—not just pastors, evangelists, or missionaries—is called to be a messenger of God’s grace. We have been entrusted with this ministry, and it is our responsibility to share it.
Evangelism, in its simplest form, is the act of sharing, preaching, or proclaiming the gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection for the salvation of mankind. This message is the foundation of our faith, and it’s affirmed throughout the Bible. In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20), Jesus commands His disciples: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” And in Acts 1:8, He promises, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.” These are not suggestions—they are direct, divine instructions.
The early Church understood this. Evangelism wasn’t a once-a-month program or a special event—it was their way of life. It was their identity. Paul, one of the foremost apostles, spoke of his duty to preach the gospel with great seriousness. In Romans 1:14–16, he described himself as obligated to all people and unashamed of the gospel, calling it “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul urged: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season.” That kind of language shows us the weight and urgency of this assignment.
Evangelism is not meant to be passive. It requires deliberate action. We are not called to wait for the perfect moment or ideal opportunity. We are to be intentional, consistent, and discerning as we share Christ with others. In Ephesians 5:15–16, Paul encourages believers to “make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” If those promoting false doctrines are boldly going door-to-door and city-to-city, then we, who hold the truth, must be even more diligent and courageous in sharing the gospel.
At the same time, evangelism is not a one-size-fits-all method. Different people require different approaches. Paul’s ministry is a model of flexibility and wisdom. He reasoned with Jews in synagogues, debated philosophers in marketplaces, and quoted poets when preaching to Gentiles in Athens (Acts 17). He said in 1 Corinthians 9:22, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” This tells us that creativity and adaptability in sharing the gospel are not only acceptable—they are biblical.
Preaching the gospel is a serious matter. It is a divine assignment, a holy responsibility given to us by our Master, Jesus Christ. It must be handled with care, with diligence, and with unwavering commitment. This call demands that we be intentional in our witness, consistent in our message, and conscientious in our conduct. The early Church lived this out, practicing daily witness (Acts 5:42), and the same standard applies to us today.
Evangelism is not just a church event. It is not the job of a few gifted people. It is the lifestyle of every true believer. If we have truly been reconciled to God, then we are also called to help others be reconciled to Him.
Finally, brethren, the Bible is clear: all believers are called to the work of evangelism. It is a sacred duty that requires conscious effort, regular practice, and Spirit-led creativity. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and a heart fully surrendered to the mission of Christ, we are to reach the world with the message of salvation—always ready to give an answer, and always eager to make Jesus Christ known.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk