Frustration in Evangelism Despite Sincere Desire for Results
Frustration in evangelism, even when driven by a sincere desire for results, can arise from various factors, including the inherent resistance to the Gospel and the recognition that human effort alone cannot guarantee spiritual outcomes. The biblical book of Ecclesiastes speaks to the futility of striving after wind and the dissatisfaction that can accompany labor focused solely on visible results [3, 5]. This sentiment can resonate with evangelistic endeavors where outward success does not match internal effort.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, acknowledges that Christ was proclaimed even by those with impure motives, "from envy and strife" or "out of selfish ambition" [1, 2]. Despite these less-than-ideal intentions, Paul rejoiced that "Christ is proclaimed" [9]. This suggests that the effectiveness of the message is not solely dependent on the perfect sincerity of the messenger, though a "pure zeal" is preferable [7]. Calvin notes that a person teaching "pure and sound doctrine" may still possess "a bad affection" [7]. This perspective can offer a measure of comfort, recognizing that God can work through imperfect vessels and circumstances.
However, the desire for results in evangelism often stems from a genuine concern for others' salvation. Reformed theology, as articulated by John Calvin, emphasizes that while God's grace is "offered to all who desire and implore it," only those whom God has "enlightened" will do so [4]. This enlightenment is linked to God's eternal election [4]. This theological framework suggests that the ultimate outcome of evangelism—conversion—is a work of God's sovereign grace, not merely human persuasion or effort. This understanding can temper frustration by shifting the focus from human-dependent results to God's ultimate control.
Furthermore, human nature is described as "utterly devoid of goodness" and "prolific in all kinds of evil" due to original sin [8]. This inherent spiritual deadness means that individuals cannot, on their own, respond to the Gospel in a saving way without divine intervention. Therefore, while evangelists are called to proclaim the message, the spiritual transformation of the listener is beyond their capacity. The "highest wisdom" for believers, even those who have attained great perfection, is to "go forward, and endeavor in a calm and teachable spirit to make further progress" [6]. This applies to evangelism as well, where continued effort and reliance on God's work are paramount, rather than focusing on immediate, tangible results.
Sources
- Philippians “Philippians 1:15 (NASB) — Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;”
- Philippians “Philippians 1:17 (BSB) — The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains.”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 6:9 (NASB) — What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and a striving after wind.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 79: offered to all who desire and implore it, and this none do, save those whom he has enlightened. Moreover, he enlightens those whom he has predestinated to salvation. Thus the truth of the promises remains firm and unshaken, so that it cannot be said there is any disagreement between the eternal election of God and the testimony of his grace which he offers to believers. But why does he mention all men? Namely that the consciences of the righteous may rest the more secure when they understand that there is no difference between sinn”
- Ecclesiastes (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 5:16: 5:16-17 Working simply to gain possessions is like working for the wind; it leads to being frustrated, discouraged, and angry.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: Church: as if Scripture did not uniformly teach, that with faith understanding is conjoined. 4. We grant, indeed, that so long as we are pilgrims in the world faith is implicit, not only because as yet many things are hidden from us, but because, involved in the mists of error, we attain not to all. The highest wisdom, even of him who has attained the greatest perfection, is to go forward, and endeavor in a calm and teachable spirit to make further progress. Hence Paul exhorts believers to wait for further illumination in any matte”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 6.5: preach Christ purely , because it was not a right zeal. 68 68 “ Pource que leur zele n’estoit pas pur ;” — “Because their zeal was not pure.” For the term does not apply to doctrine, because it is possible that the man who teaches most purely, may, nevertheless, not be of a sincere mind. 69 69 “ Il se pent bien faire, que celuy qui enseignera vne doctrine pure et saine, aura toutesfois vne mauvaise affection ;” — “It may quite well happen, that the man who teaches pure and sound doctrine, will have, nevertheless, an”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 37: but constantly produces new fruits, in other words, those works of the flesh which we formerly described; just as a lighted furnace sends forth sparks and flames, or a fountain without ceasing pours out water. Hence, those who have defined original sin as the want of the original righteousness which we ought to have had, though they substantially comprehend the whole case, do not significantly enough express its power and energy. For our nature is not only utterly devoid of goodness, but so prolific in all kinds of evil, that it ca”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 1:18: What follows from this? Does this trouble me as they thought it would? "Notwithstanding" their unkind thought to me, and self-seeking intention, the cause I have at heart is furthered "every way" of preaching, "whether in pretense (with a by motive, Phi 1:16) or in truth (out of true 'love' to Christ, Phi 1:17), Christ is proclaimed; and therein I do rejoice, yea, and I will rejoice." From this it would seem that these self-seeking teachers in the main "proclaimed Christ," not "another Gospel," such as the Judaizers in Galatia taught (Gal 1:6-8); ”