Evangelism Redefined

a homeless man sitting in the street

enduring the cold and extreme summer heat

he heard the Gospel, thought his life was once whole

but his salvation was not complete - purity was never his goal

being homeless is not a sin

but he also smoked and drank

and prostitutes were the distraction

that kept his paycheck from the bank

he'd met an evangelist

on the corner one day

who preached the love of God

said Jesus was the only way

he'll come into your life

and freely cleanse you from sin

all the poverty and pain

you'll never feel again

all that you've endured, he said

was only for a season

the Father was pulling you toward Himself

all for a divine reason

wealth is stored up for the saints

now your prosperity is near

just repeat this little prayer

and your life will change right here

so the man visited the evangelist's church

and was treated so well at the start

he became a mascot for the entire congregation

but there was no change in his heart

you see, we're all about God's business

the members began to proclaim

come one, come all into the house of the Lord

just come as you are, in Jesus' name

as the man visited week after week

he gave offerings with expectation

you see, he'd been told it would help him to prosper

and seal his soul's salvation

for two weeks members fed him meals

loaned him suits and fine clothes

but when his offering didn't increase

their attitudes began to fold

a new trophy was brought to church

and the old man put to shame

the new trophy had a fine job

and gave thousands in Jesus' name

so one day after service

the pastor requested a chance to speak

after all we've done for you, he said

still God you will not seek

but I don't know what to do, said the man

I want to draw closer to God

loaned suits, a hot meal and a quick little prayer

seems to be all I ever got

at the beginning, I was treated so kind

I admit my flesh was pleased

but no one here ever taught me

the importance of staying on my knees

they said to me "come as you are"

never mentioned any of my sins

in fact, preacher, you must know

they looked over my faults with a grin

they told me all about grace and love

they said I didn't even have to change

said I could do and have all I wanted

so long as it's in Jesus' name

how dare you blame the saints of God

you're nothing more than an infidel

we gave you what you needed, but you failed

you're the one who has chosen hell

no place to stay, no job and no home

you don't pay any tithes and you're all alone

you're no longer wanted in this church of mine

you've really disgraced our church this time

so just that quickly, he was back in the streets

his clothes are still torn, he has nothing to eat

and now his dispair is worse than before

he's bitter toward the Church, and God he trusts no more

when you see this man on the corner

don't blame him for being so cold

this time, just tell him the truth

by the Holy Spirit, be bold

don't promise that all his troubles

will instantly be washed away

don't feed him lies and false hope

don't give him a formula to pray

explain to him that hell is real

and there's only one way of escape

accept the work of Christ on the cross

and enter through the straight gate

instead of promoting your ministry and church

teach him to seek the Father

show him how to search the Word

by which his faith will stretch further

and should he visit your church congregation

make him part of the fellowship

don't make him a trophy or mascot of hope

and don't judge him because of his hardship

but show him the love of Christ

and how to grow in God

be sincere and teach him truth

that amongst saints, he won't feel odd

don't tell him "come as you are"

but teach holiness, purity of heart

only then, o Body of Christ

can you say you have done your part

what we must always remember

evangelize as the disciples saw

yes God is gracious and merciful

but mercy comes because of the Law

whom He chastises He loves

yes, God will take care of His own

but He's also a just judge

and will punish from His holy throne