If God Is in Sovereign Control, Why Should I Pray or Evangelize?
Don't fall into fatalism!
Welcome to our Transformational Theology video series about the sovereignty of God! Check out the corresponding book here, as well as more transformational designs.
Does believing in the sovereignty of God mean we just sit back and do nothing? If everything is preordained, why pray, why share the Gospel, why fight for holiness?
Discover how Scripture holds together God’s sovereign plan and human responsibility without slipping into fatalism.
God not only ordains what will happen, but also the means – our choices, our prayers, our obedience. Far from making us passive, a right understanding of divine sovereignty motivates us to seek God, preach Christ, and obey with all our hearts, knowing our labor is part of His eternal purpose.
How does this transform us?
As representatives of Christ, we will be held accountable for our actions. Therefore, we should reject passivity, and be committed to thinking and acting in accordance with the will of God.
Reflect on the origin of sin, the deception of Eve but also the passivity of Adam in allowing the disobedience to continue (Genesis 3). What can we learn from this account?
Next, look at the story of the high priest, Eli, who failed to take strong action regarding the wickedness of his two sons (1 Samuel 3:12-25). What was the result of his passivity?
Now consider an instance in your life where you were passive. What were the consequences for you and/or for others?
Remember, God has commanded us to preach the Gospel. If we don’t, people will not come to Christ.
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News!” (Romans 10:14-15)
Based on these verses, what is our responsibility when it comes to evangelism and missions? What have you and your church done to reach the lost and share the Gospel?
Get with another believer or two in your church and share testimonies of times that you brought someone to the Lord. Then pray for one another, particularly if this is something you are struggling to do regularly.
Pray that God would guide you to connect with someone personally so that you can share the hope of the Gospel with them. Ask Him for boldness and urgency to share the Gospel with those around us. Ask Him to forgive you for passivity and neglect of sharing the Gospel with others.
