Are you familiar with the Great Commission? Go ye into all the world and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all I have commanded you. Christians refer to this task as evangelism. It is also less commonly known by the term proselytizing. This term is so broadly defined that it can be applied to any attempt to get anyone to change their mind about anything. Evangelism certainly is that, but much more besides. Have you found it is a far greater challenge to make disciples than it is to get someone to profess belief? Do not be discouraged.

Have you ever had a bad day? Do you see this as an excuse to be grumpy? In this way you can pass your bad day along to others who would otherwise not be a party to it. Can you conduct yourself with grace and kindness toward others even when things are not going well for you? If you have immunity to a disease you will not get it even if you are exposed. If you can be gracious in trials then you have immunity from being contagious, and if you can refuse to take offense at the bad moods of other people then you have immunity from them. I gave you an immune system for your body.

Do you see yourself as the member of a tribe? Do you think this term applies only to indigenous peoples? You belong to a tribe whether you realize it or not. Do you prefer to receive instruction from members of your own race, culture, denomination, educational and economic level? If so, this indicates the tribe that you belong to. There were 12 tribes in ancient Israel but they all belonged to one nation. Each had their own unique value and purpose. The same principle applies today. Do you want the Spirit to lead you into all truth?

Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘consider the source’? This is one way of evaluating the validity of a statement, but it is based on a fallacy, and how often have you heard this phrase used as a compliment? The truth of a statement does not depend on the one stating it. It is intrinsically true or false whether spoken by a reputable person or a scoundrel. Do you accept as truth whatever is spoken by those in your tradition, and reject what is spoken by those without? But there is truth outside of your tradition. Don’t cut yourself off from the bigger picture that I would show you.