The Real Reason You're Not Sharing the Gospel: Apathy

Welcome to the companion blog post for episode 225 of the Messy Walk podcast, "Reasons You Don't Share The Gospel - You've Lost Your Awe." In this episode, we explored the common excuses Christians give for not sharing their faith, and then challenged the notion that those are the true reasons. We posited that a significant factor in our silence is a diminished sense of awe and wonder regarding God's grace. This blog post delves deeper into that idea, examining how regaining that sense of amazement can be a powerful motivator for evangelism.

Introduction: Beyond Excuses - The Real Reason We're Silent

We've all heard them, and maybe we've even used them ourselves: the reasons we don't share the Gospel. "I'm not a good speaker." "I don't know enough about the Bible." "I don't want to offend anyone." "I'm afraid of rejection." These excuses often masquerade as legitimate reasons, shielding us from a deeper, more uncomfortable truth. While these concerns might hold some weight, they often act as smokescreens, obscuring the real reason behind our silence: a lack of genuine awe and wonder at the grace of God.

Think about it. We readily share exciting news, funny stories, or interesting articles with our friends and family. We don't hesitate to recommend a good movie or a helpful product. Why? Because these things captivate us, excite us, and leave us wanting to share the experience. So why does the Gospel, the most transformative and life-altering message in the universe, so often remain locked within our hearts?

The problem isn't necessarily a lack of information or a fear of confrontation. The problem is a dulled sense of amazement. We've become so accustomed to the message of salvation that it's lost its impact. We've heard it so many times that it no longer resonates with the same power and awe it once did. And without that awe, without that profound sense of wonder, the motivation to share fades away.

The Gospel vs. Other News: Why the Double Standard?

Consider how easily we share other types of news, both big and small. A friend gets a new job? We're quick to offer congratulations and spread the word. A new restaurant opens in town? We're eager to try it and share our experience on social media. A groundbreaking scientific discovery is announced? We might forward the article to our colleagues and discuss its implications. We don't hesitate to talk about these things, even if we're not experts, even if we don't know all the details. We share because we're interested, we're excited, and we want to share that feeling with others.

Now, compare that to our approach to the Gospel. The news of God's love, forgiveness, and redemption, offered freely through Jesus Christ, is arguably the most significant news imaginable. It has the power to transform lives, heal broken hearts, and offer eternal hope. Yet, we often hesitate to share it. We overthink it. We worry about saying the wrong thing. We allow our fears and insecurities to silence us.

Why the double standard? Why are we so quick to share trivial news while remaining hesitant to share the most important news of all? The answer, again, lies in our level of engagement. When we're genuinely captivated by something, we naturally want to share it. When we're filled with awe and wonder, we can't help but tell others about it. But when that sense of amazement is absent, the motivation to share diminishes, and we fall silent.

It is easy to share things that are captivating because the world is more drawn to those things. However, the reason the Gospel may be more difficult to share is because it is not easily accepted or seen as "newsworthy" by others. It is not something the world is longing for, and as such, we may subconsciously feel we are forcing the issue.

Apathy's Root: Losing Awe of God's Grace

Apathy, in this context, is not simply a lack of caring. It's a deeper issue rooted in a diminished appreciation for the magnitude of God's grace. We've heard the story of Jesus's sacrifice so many times that it's become almost commonplace. We understand the theological concepts intellectually, but the emotional impact has faded. The sheer audacity of God's love, the profound sacrifice He made for us, the unimaginable gift of eternal life – these truths have lost their power to move us to awe.

Think about the implications of God’s grace. That the God of the universe, the creator of all things, would lower himself to come to Earth as a human. That He would live a perfect life and then die a gruesome death on a cross for our sins. That He would offer us forgiveness and redemption, not because we deserve it, but because He loves us. This is an extraordinary story, a mind-boggling reality. Yet, for many of us, it's become just another story, just another religious doctrine. It's lost its power to inspire wonder, to ignite passion, and to compel us to share it with others.

This loss of awe can stem from various factors. Perhaps we've become complacent in our faith, going through the motions without truly engaging with God. Maybe we've allowed the cares of the world to distract us, dimming our spiritual vision. Or perhaps we've simply grown too familiar with the Gospel, taking its truths for granted. Whatever the cause, the result is the same: a diminished sense of awe and a corresponding decline in our motivation to share our faith.

Rediscovering Awe: A Catalyst for Evangelism

The good news is that we can rekindle our sense of awe. We can rediscover the wonder and amazement that comes from truly understanding and appreciating God's grace. And when we do, it will become a powerful catalyst for evangelism, propelling us to share our faith with boldness and passion.

Rediscovering awe starts with intentionality. It requires a conscious effort to refocus our attention on God, to meditate on His attributes, and to reflect on the magnitude of His love. It involves intentionally disrupting our routine and purposefully seeking out opportunities to experience God's presence in new and profound ways. It means turning away from the distractions that dull our spiritual senses and turning towards the things that awaken our hearts to the beauty and majesty of God.

When we begin to truly grasp the depth of God's love, the perfection of His character, and the transformative power of the Gospel, our hearts will be filled with awe. We'll be overwhelmed by gratitude, humbled by His grace, and inspired to share this incredible news with everyone we meet. Evangelism will no longer be a burden or an obligation, but a natural overflow of the joy and wonder that fills our hearts.

Practical Steps to Rekindle Your Awe

Here are some practical steps you can take to rekindle your awe of God and become a more effective evangelist:

1. Spend Time in Prayer and Scripture: Make time each day to connect with God through prayer and Scripture. Don't just read the words; meditate on them. Ask God to reveal Himself to you in new ways.
2. Reflect on the Gospel: Take time to contemplate the significance of Jesus's death and resurrection. Imagine what it must have been like to witness these events firsthand. Consider the impact of the Gospel on your own life and the lives of others.
3. Engage in Worship: Participate in corporate worship regularly. Sing praises to God, listen to sermons that challenge and inspire you, and fellowship with other believers.
4. Serve Others: Get involved in ministry and outreach opportunities. Serving others is a powerful way to experience God's love and compassion firsthand.
5. Witness God's Creation: Spend time in nature. Observe the beauty and complexity of the world around you. Recognize God's handiwork in every detail.
6. Listen to Testimonies: Read or listen to stories of how God has worked in the lives of others. Be inspired by their faith and encouraged to share your own story.
7. Find Creative Ways to Express Your Faith: The creative arts are a powerful way to worship God and express our awe. Consider taking a painting class, writing poetry, or learning to play a musical instrument. You can also use your creativity to share your faith with others. Create social media posts, videos, or write songs to share the Gospel.
8. Study Theology: Studying theology is a way to get to know God better and understand how His love is displayed through the Bible.

By actively engaging in these practices, you can begin to chip away at the layers of complacency that have dulled your sense of awe. As you rediscover the wonder of God's grace, your passion for evangelism will be rekindled, and you'll find yourself naturally sharing your faith with others.

Conclusion: Let Awe Compel You to Share

The real reason we're not sharing the Gospel often boils down to a lack of awe. We've become too familiar with the message, too comfortable in our own faith, and too distracted by the cares of the world. But it doesn't have to be this way. We can rekindle our sense of wonder and amazement, allowing God's grace to fill our hearts with joy and passion. As Pastor Adam and Steph mentioned in episode 225, reminding yourself of God's grace may motivate you to share your faith.

When we rediscover the awe of God's grace, evangelism will no longer be a burden, but a natural outflow of our hearts. We'll be compelled to share the good news with everyone we meet, not out of obligation, but out of love and gratitude. So, let us commit to seeking God with renewed fervor, to meditating on His attributes, and to reflecting on the magnitude of His love. Let us allow awe to compel us to share the Gospel and to bring glory to His name.