The joy of seeing a man who was in the path of the wrath of God turn from sin and run to Jesus is a joy that will last forever.
I remember the moment I saw it happen. I could see him suddenly feel the gravity of his situation and a look came across his face that was almost startled. His last defense for his sin crumbled. We prayed right there in my office that he would give up his sin and turn to God, embrace the forgiveness of his sin that was his in Christ Jesus and submit his life to a God who loved him enough to die for him. He left my office and I sat at my desk and cried and prayed for him.
The primary mission field for many Christians is your workplace. Evangelism is not the only reason God has placed you in your office but there is no higher calling—and no greater joy—than to see a co-worker meet Jesus. Many people work in an office environment with strict rules regarding evangelism and it is important that as a Christian you are above reproach in your workplace. But it is even more important that you are faithful to God. As you consider how to evangelize at work consider these things.
1. Build authentic relationships with non-Christians
Most people came to faith through hearing the gospel explained by a person they trust and respect. Pray that God would give you a heart for specific people. Write their names down and pray for them regularly. Seek them out, not as a project, but to love and care for them. Pray for openings to speak the good news into their lives.
2. Trust the Holy Spirit to do the work of changing hearts
Winning souls is not about winning an argument. It is a change of heart, the opening of blind eyes, and the birth of a new creation that only happens by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is God who changes people, not our clever arguments. Share the gospel faithfully by regularly reading and studying your Bible. Study the flow of Paul’s sermon at Mars Hill as a great example. When the opportunity comes, pray fervently that the Holy Spirit would give you the words and trust that God will be there in that conversation.
3. Don’t just invite people to church
Non-Christians often hear our invitations to come to church as trying to convert them to our social club and moral code. The reasons we give people to come with us to church often reinforce that perception. We talk about the great worship experience, the nice people, and great preaching. A non-Christian has no taste for these things and simply telling someone about your church will not save anyone. Jesus saves people. It is the good news of Jesus Christ that needs to be shared, not the good experience of your church. After you have faithfully shared the gospel, then share your church. Ultimately the goal is not to get someone into your church. It is to get them into the kingdom of God.
Everlasting joy
A month later I ran into my friend that I had been praying for and we sat down for lunch. He told me that a week or so after we prayed together in my office he had been sitting on his couch drunk and staring at the bottle in his hand. Suddenly he just didn’t want it anymore. It was more than the addiction to alcohol. It was all the sin that had grown so deep and rooted in his life that he had craved for so long—it was all suddenly distasteful. As he started reading his Bible, he had a lot of questions, and over several months we talked through them. God was shaping a new man right before me. Over a year later he is still walking faithfully with the Lord, and in a month he is marrying a wonderful woman he met at our church who also deeply loves Jesus.
There is joy in this life that feels rich in the moment, but is fleeting and fades away. But this joy of seeing a man who was in the path of the wrath of God turn from sin and run to Jesus is a joy that will last forever. It is an eternal joy because this friend will be with me in heaven. I want you to share the gospel at work because I want you to experience that same joy.
