A motive for evangelism

In Acts 17:16, Luke notes that while Paul was in Athens, “his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols.”

Contemplating this verse, John Stott offers a motive for missions that is not often considered.  He’s right.

“…the pain or ‘paroxysm’ which Paul felt in Athens was due neither to bad temper, not to pity for the Athenians’ ignorance, nor even to fear for their eternal salvation. It was due rather to his abhorrence of idolatry, which aroused within him deep stirrings of jealousy for the Name of God, as he saw human beings so depraved as to be giving to idols the honour and glory which were due to the one, living and true God alone. ‘His whole soul was revolted at the sight of a city given over to idolatry’ (JB).

Moreover this inward pain and horror, which moved Paul to share the good news with the idolaters of Athens, should similarly move us. Incentives are important in every sphere. Being rational human beings, we need to know not only what we should be doing, but why we should be doing it. And motivation for mission is specially important, not least in our day in which the comparative study of religions has led many to deny finality and uniqueness to Jesus Christ and to reject the very concept of evangelizing and if converting people. How then, in the face of growing opposition to it, can Christians justify the continuance of world evangelization?  The commonest answer is to point to the Great Commission, and indeed obedience to it provides a strong stimulus. Compassion is higher than obedience, however, namely love for people who do not know Jesus Christ, and who on that account are alienated, disorientated, and indeed lost. But the highest incentive of all is zeal or jealousy for the glory of Jesus Christ.  God has promoted him to the supreme place of honour, in order that every knee and tongue should acknowledge his lordship. Whenever he is denied his rightful place in people’s lives, therefore, we should feel inwardly wounded, and jealous for his name. As Henry Martyn expressed it in Moslem Persia at the beginning of the last century, ‘I could not endure existence if Jesus was not glorified; it would be hell to me, if he were to be always…dishonoured.’” [The Spirit, the Church, and the World.]