Why Can't It Be That Easy?

Why can’t it be that easy? Like Paul. Heard of him before? Outright persecutor of Christians. Previously named Saul. Hears a voice. Sees a light. Becomes blind. Is healed, baptized, and becomes God’s witness to all men! 

Why can’t it be that easy? 

I’ve talked to many people about Jesus. I try to live my life as a light for Jesus. But never has a bright light shone down from heaven nor the voice of God boomed down and instantly changed the heart of my friend or family member. It’s too hard. I’m tired of not seeing any progress, of watching my work for the Gospel of Jesus fall short; I mean I can’t even get my best friend at work to come to one church service with me! Could I get some help from the Big Guy upstairs, some blinding lights and a heavenly speech or two would be great, Lord!

Evangelism can be a tough topic to tackle. 

It’s much easier to just talk to my friends about the weather or the latest gossip or the stress of work. When it comes to talking about Jesus, it’s too hard. I always end up sounding like a babbling fool, or I get stuck without the answers, or I feel judged by everyone around me. Someone else can do the evangelism part for me. 

Raise your hand if this inner dialogue strolls through your mind every so often. I’ve been reading through the book of Acts in the Bible and the boldness of Paul amazes me! Paul goes from city to city preaching and teaching about his Savior, Jesus. He is utterly unafraid of persecution and ready to face his death for the name of Jesus to be proclaimed in truth and purity. What a story! What a guy! 

No. What a God! 

It IS that easy. Why? Because it’s not up to you! Paul knew that! Paul knew that only God can convert hearts. Only God could convert his heart. And every Jew and Gentile who believed in Jesus, to whom Paul preached, believed in Jesus as their Savior only due to the work of the Holy Spirit, not because of who Paul was or what he said. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he blatantly states, “...no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3). 

Do you feel like evangelism is the job for the pastors, teachers, the extroverts, the well-versed theologians, anyone but you? Because, well, you’re just you… average, not qualified, maybe even uncertain at times about the strength of your own faith. Someone else can talk about Jesus to everyone. 

No, because God chose you! And what a God he is! As God spoke about Paul, so he speaks about you also: “This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name” (Acts 9:15). 

You are God’s instrument too! What is the purpose of an instrument? I’m not a musical person by any means, but I do know that a flute, guitar, piano, harp, and violin are all utilized by the musician to produce beautiful music. And when the sweet music flows, those listening to the music clap for the musician; they honor the musician, they give a standing ovation and ask for an encore from the musician! 

The musician is God! And the instrument is you! The audience does not clap for or honor the instrument; they don’t beg the flute for an encore - because without the musician the instrument can do nothing. Without God, we can do nothing. But God chose us to be his instruments, to make the sweet music of his Gospel flow throughout the earth. 

What a God we have! 

Although I cannot claim to have any sort of vast knowledge about how to play an instrument, I do know that at times musicians make mistakes. Sometimes the music is not as sweet as intended. Even the most well-trained master musician who walks this earth at times plays his instrument and out of his instrument come the wrong notes, otherwise known as mistakes. 

Are you worried that you’ll make a mistake when sharing the music of the Gospel? Don’t be! Because it’s not about the instrument; it’s about the musician. And you have the perfect musician using you, using the gifts He has given you to share the harmonies that the Gospel offers. Our Master Musician promises that His message will “not return to [him] empty, but will accomplish what [He] desires and achieve the purpose for which [He] sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). 

What a God! 

Paul knew that. That’s why he preached his risen Savior with such boldness. That’s why he had no fear of persecution, no fear of death. He saw the audience God had set before him: their souls doomed for eternal death, and he let God play the music of the Gospel through him. He knew he was merely God’s instrument. It was just that easy… and it IS just that easy. 

Let the Musician do His work. Remember, you are only his instrument, his tool. When you just want some blinding lights and a heavenly speech booming down from above, remember you have the music of the Gospel, the powerful, life-changing, heart-changing, eternity-changing Gospel! Speak it boldly, like Paul. 

It’s that easy.