The word evangelist is derived from the Greek word eujaggelisthv (euaggelistes pronounced yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace’) meaning “one who brings good news.” Today, we define the word as “one who spreads the gospel of Jesus Christ.”  Christians evangelize for many reasons. The apostle Paul expressed some of these in the first chapter of Philippians.

Verses 14-17 of this context read, “...¹⁴ and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. ¹⁵ Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: ¹⁶ The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; ¹⁷ but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.”

Paul says they preached Christ from envy, strife, good will, selfish ambition, and love. The reasons are both good and bad, yet Paul expressed his sentiment of the situation as follows, “...¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.” Paul was thankful that Christ was preached regardless of the heart behind the preaching.

Furthermore, we find another reason for evangelism stated in the New Testament. In 2 Corinthians 5:9-11, Paul writes, “⁹ Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. ¹¹ Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men....”

Herein Paul explains his urgency. He knew the terror of the Lord. From the context, we know he was referring to the forthcoming judgment of all of mankind and Paul knew it was coming as sure as he knew his name. He gives this as the reason he evangelized the way he did — with urgency, with conviction, with boldness, as if lives depended upon it.

This reason should hold as firm today as it did the day it was initially penned. The judgment is still on the horizon for mankind. Salvation is still available to those who choose to manifest a love for God through obedience to the gospel – the good news of Jesus Christ.

As we go out today into the vineyard of the Lord, let us bear this motivation in mind. Let us feel the sense of urgency in the message we proclaim. Let us preach boldly with conviction, not out of convenience or weakness. Let us know assuredly that lives do depend upon it — eternal lives. We can also rest assured, as with every other promise of God, the promise of judgment and damnation will surely come to pass.

In Hebrews 10:30-31, the Hebrew writer expresses this thought in no uncertain terms when he says, “³⁰ For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Let us evangelize in such a way that we do not find ourselves and those we love fallen into the wrath and vengeance of the Living God! Knowing the terror of the Lord, let us evangelize with all that we have to save souls today!

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