TBC Notes | thebereancall.org

T. A. McMahon

That’s Not My Calling!

When I mentioned to my recent guest, Mark Cahill, on Search the Scriptures 24/7 that many Christians are reluctant to witness to the lost, claiming it’s not their “calling,” his response was, “They need to pick up the phone!” Obviously, his point was that witnessing is not a calling. It’s a command, and it’s central to every believer’s life in Christ. The “phone” is God’s Word, where verses abound related to sharing the gospel. 

So why are many if not most Christians reluctant to share the gospel with lost family members, friends, and strangers? Well, mostly it appears that it has to do with self. Self-image puts us in fear of looking foolish in front of others. Self-interest puts us in fear of upsetting personal relationships. Self-love has us loving ourselves more than the eternal destiny of others. Self-consciousness holds us firmly in bondage to what others think. “Self” presents the greatest road block regarding our obedience to God’s instructions and pleasing Him. The biblical solution is given in Matthew:16:24: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

The other lame excuse (read “disobedience”) is “I’m neither trained nor equipped to evangelize.” Do you have any experience in holding a conversation? Then you are trained. Have you ever asked anyone questions? Then you are equipped. The approach involves growing in the knowledge of what the Bible teaches and letting the Holy Spirit direct your conversation, your questions, and your responses. He is always available. How about you?

T. A. McMahon

Executive Director