Relevant

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Jesus met with people in their need and offered them a better way forward if they choose to walk in His ways. They saw He was genuine, had what they wanted and could meet their physical needs, and many were also impacted spiritually.

The core of the gospel message is still the same as it always has been, yet the way it is delivered needs to be adapted and relevant to suit the current times – understandable both in words and actions. Are we aware of the contemporary mindset of non-Christians, so that we can connect and interact with them and hopefully journey on with them to know Christ? Paul said, “I become all things to all people that by any means I might win some” (1 Cor 9:22). Showing love by giving basic necessities to a destitute person in need will speak more to them about Christ than a pious “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed” (Jas 2:15,16). This is why friendship evangelism is so effective, to bring a person to salvation and disciple them through walking with them through the situations of life. This calls for long-term commitment of being involved in the lives of the unsaved, yet within ethical and moral boundaries that you will not cross or compromise. While the Lord has called us to be ‘different’ to the unsaved, it is to be in positive ways that reflect the Spirit of Christ, bringing His message into everyday situations, not ‘weird’ mystical recluses isolated from mainstream society.

Being gentle, sensitive, wise and caring as we meet people at their point of concern and hurt is what makes us relevant. We show our faith by ministering to their very real ‘felt’ needs. Through our good works we live out our Christianity and are building bridges

Scratch people where they itch!

whereby we earn the right to present Christ, who can make a tremendous difference to their lives if they choose life.

While the Bible was completed approximately 1900 years ago, its accuracy and relevance for today remain unchanged, with it being the sole objective source of all the revelation God has given us about Himself and His plan for humanity. Not all of Scripture necessarily applies explicitly to us today, but all Scriptures contain truth that we can, and should, apply to our lives today with the message of redemption universally and perpetually applicable to humanity (2 Tim 3:16; Jas 1:22).

See also: appropriate, evangelism (friendship), mindset .