The Gospel Is all They Need

But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
​(2 Corinthians 4:2)

​When it comes to evangelism and evangelism training, there are a variety of ways people have come up with when it comes to sharing the gospel. To be sure, how we approach evangelism will be different depending on the culture within which we are ministering. That is, how we seek to approach and present the gospel to someone in New York city will likely be different than someone living in Mobile, Alabama, or how we share the gospel with someone in the United States will be different than with someone living in South Korea. Nevertheless, while the delivery may differ, the content must always be the same. We must not think we can finagle people into heaven with our crafty words or lofty arguments. To the church in Corinth, Paul writes: “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart” (2 Cor 4:1). That is, no matter how difficult communicating the gospel might be and no matter how hard the human heart is, Paul will not grow discouraged by the world’s limited response to the gospel, nor will he resort to “underhanded ways,” “cunning” practices,” or “tamper with God’s word,” but will continue to present the gospel “by the open statement of the truth” (v.2). Paul understands that the pure undiluted gospel message is the power of God unto salvation (Rom 1:16). That message being that “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4).