The power of a word.

Recently, while travelling in Columbia, Angela and I had the opportunity to visit several cultural sites.  And I noticed their history displays spoke about the church coming to Columbia to evangelize the indigenous people.  Interesting. 

In Canada, it is usually said that the church’s mission was to convert the indigenous people. And there is a world of difference between the words convert and evangelize.

The word evangelize means to “share the good news.”  That is something we can do.  The word convert means to cause a change in form, character, or function.  That’s something that only God can do.

When we think it’s our responsibility to make sure that people are converted, all kinds of things can go wrong and often do. We can’t change people.  We all know that, but as Christ followers, we have an obligation to share the good news.

It was D.T. Niles who said, “Christianity is one beggar telling another beggar where he found bread.”

We would be wise to remember that as a church, it’s not our responsibility to force anyone to eat the bread of life, be we are all responsible for telling people where the bread of life can be found.


Have a great week, and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.

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