An old man was sitting on a rocking chair in his garden. Beside him sat an old dog, literally on a nail that was on the wooden plank. The dog was moaning because of pain. But it was not moving away from the nail. When a guest visited the old man asked why the dog was not moving away. The old owner of the dog said: “Because it’s not hurting enough for him to move.” Sometimes, God has to allow or permit pain to increase so that people of God can realize God’s plan and purposes.
Voluntary going: The Risen Lord appeared to many people for about forty days. Then he told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem to be clothed by the Power of God. They were commanded to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) On the Day of Pentecost, they witnessed in Jerusalem and three thousand people were baptized. (Acts 2:41) Even the Chief Priest testified that they had filled Jerusalem with their teaching. (Acts 5:28) The Apostles were imprisoned, whipped, and threatened. Yet, they did not move to the next circle of Judea or Samaria. Yes, people from Judea flocked to Jerusalem to hear the gospel and be healed. (Acts 5:15) Even then, the Apostles did not go to them, they remained.
Involuntary going: The persecution unleashed by the Sanhedrin was not enough to move the Apostles. The martyrdom of Stephen happened. Later God allowed the persecution to increase, and the disciples were scattered in all directions. The disciples, wherever they went, preached the gospel. (Acts 8:1) Philip, one of the elders, took the gospel to Samaria. (Acts 8:5) Since Philip was obedient to the mandate, God led him to share the gospel with the Ethiopian eunuch, perhaps the first Gentile God-fearer to hear the gospel. (Acts 8:26-40)
Global Missions: God has to nudge the Christians, the churches, pastors, and mission leaders to go further to evangelize the world. Sometimes, persecution is a tool the Lord uses.
Do I evangelize voluntarily or involuntarily?