Monday: Evangelism Is Inherent
WEEK 38
MONDAY
EVANGELISM IS INHERENT
Acts 19:18-20
We continue our study of the mastery of ingrownness and inhibitions. With the impact of the Spirit of Christ upon the human consciousness there was an immediate reaction into outgoingness. This extends from the highest to the lowest.
“Mary” was used of God to help a girl through to release; she unconsciously used the correct psychological approach, though she knows little of technical psychology. The girl was on the verge of a breakdown, living on coffee and nerves. This day Mary told her to leave her long face at the door, and she would be going away with a new one. For five hours she poured out her troubles, and Mary listened. The girl said, “But this isn’t getting on your nerves, is it?” “No,” replied Mary. “It is necessary to get it all up and out.” Then Mary finally said, “Now that you have told me all this, do you think you are ready to get to the real thing?” The girl broke down and told her. Then Mary went out of the room and left her with a picture of Christ. She told her to give her answer to him. She did. Then Mary returned and in simple prayer took her the rest of the way to victory. This girl in turn is on fire and winning others. Anyone who is sincere can do this work.
Our evangelism may be by word, and it may be by life. A college student was crossing the campus to his roommate after a wretched debauch. He happened to look up and saw through a lighted window the oldest and best-beloved member of the faculty writing at his desk. He knew the professor would be busy writing something he believed would help the world, this in deep contrast to the way he himself had spent the evening. The thought smote his heart. Then and there he turned over a new leaf and began to write on it the record of a useful, dedicated life. Tertullian tells us that most of the converts of his day were won not by reading the scriptures but by watching how the Christians lived and died. “If there were more like him, there’d be less like me,” said a man with a debauched face as he pointed to a Christian.
O Christ, take such possession of me that I will show by my very looks that I have looked into your face and the reflection lingers. Give me a Christian face. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: Since evangelism is inherent in my being a Christian, it shall be inherent in all I do today.