On Evangelism: Pray and Wait

When Lewis Benson was invited to the UK to speak about the Christian message of the Early Friends in 1974, he reported that after much prayer about whether to accept the invitation, he was shown that if he stayed close to the message of George Fox, and to his own experience, "no harm would be done."

It certainly rings true that something as important as the ministry of Jesus Christ should not be lightly or hastily undertaken. This is in direct contrast with the prevalent attitude among so many professing Christians that "Jesus has saved me and given all believers the Great Commission; therefore, I know what I have to do."

But there's a difference between "Jesus has saved me" and "Jesus is saving me." In the first case, it's apparently a done deal, as is the command to go and preach to all nations. According to these assumptions, all Lewis Benson's waiting and praying was unnecessary because "believers know what they have to do." In fact, apparently no waiting for any direct command and guidance from God is necessary.

Contrast this with "Jesus is saving me." Far from being a done deal, salvation is through a continuous, dynamic relationship with God where, as Benson demonstrated, we must listen closely and carefully, not so much to enable ourselves to go forth and rake in the converts, but with humility, and to see that first we do no harm.

If we end up doing good, it will only be by the same might, power, and heavenly Voice that leads us in the paths of life, and to which we must listen continually, lest we stray from that guidance which is our salvation.