What is called the Great Commission is foundational in that it contains the principles that inform the process of doing the gospel - proclaiming the good news. The process involves getting out there and discipling all kinds of people, which means leading them to Jesus Christ and teaching them about what he has said and done. But it is absolutely primary to realize that he is sovereign and present in this process. The commission is sandwiched between these two principles. Without his dynamic, without divine intervention, people will not come to Christ. When he is lifted up, he will draw people to himself.

This is a simple yet profound principle! And it takes the onus off of us. We don’t have to make evangelism happen, we don’t need an evangelism program. So, what do we do? We engage his dynamic - we realize that he is in control and that he is ever present in all we do (can you say “Holy Spirit?”). And how do we do that? In a word - prayer. Am I lately sounding repetitive? Well, I am realizing myself that it really is this simple - in principle. In practice it is another story. Most of us (Americans in particular) don’t pray much, not because we think it unnecessary, but because we’re too busy doing things - good things. We all have a lot on our schedules and agendas, and when we don’t, we have a lot of distractions and amusements. So prayer gets kind of lost, and we don’t engage as much with God’s dynamic. It’s good to think of prayer not as another thing to do, but as a way of stopping and looking for God at work. He is in control, in the sense that he knows what is going on in and among people. And he is the God who intervenes. No one comes to Jesus apart from this. I didn’t. He used individuals, who “lifted” him up before me (albeit in fumbling and imperfect ways), and eventually he drew me to himself.

So, when we begin praying for people and God begins to open up opportunities with them, what do we say? We can integrate the three foundational principles and the three spiritual dynamics (do you remember them?). God loves everyone, no matter what - no matter how badly they may have messed things up. And even if they haven’t, it’s necessary for all of us to recognize that all good things ultimately come from him. He wants to give us what is good especially because we don’t deserve it. We need to trust him for the ultimate good, life with God that lasts forever - because no matter how good (or bad) things may be for us, this life will come to an end. There you have it: God is good; we are not - and God intervenes, because he loves us and wants what is best for us. All of this is personified in Jesus Christ, God’s ultimate intervention. Who wouldn’t want to receive that (him)? Many don’t yet understand or realize this; pray for opportunities to communicate with real individuals!