Seeking God's Guidance in Evangelism Opportunities
Seeking God's guidance in evangelism opportunities involves prayer for "open doors" to proclaim the gospel and a commitment to discerning what is pleasing to the Lord [1, 4, 9]. The Apostle Paul, for instance, requested prayers that God would provide such opportunities for him to preach "the secret of Christ" [1]. This concept of an "open door" is a metaphor for a chance to share the Good News, as seen in other New Testament passages like Acts 14:27 and 1 Corinthians 16:9 [9].
The act of seeking God is a recurring theme in scripture, often associated with finding Him when sought "with all your heart" [7]. This seeking involves a deliberate mental effort to understand God's will and purpose [2, 10]. John Gill, commenting on Jeremiah 29:13, notes that those who seek the Lord "aright" will find Him, receiving His presence, communion, and grace [7]. This proper seeking is characterized by approaching God through Christ, under the Holy Spirit's guidance, with faith and fervency [7].
Such seeking is not merely passive but involves active discernment and decision [6]. Believers are encouraged to "seek the Lord while He is to be found" and to "call upon Him while He is near," implying a timely and earnest pursuit [8]. This pursuit is a privilege for believers, granting access to God through Christ and the Holy Spirit, obtained through faith [5]. It is also a call to adopt God's value system, pursue His purpose, and submit to His authority [10]. Matthew Henry encourages all people to trust in God, noting that "there is enough in God for all the saints to draw from" [11]. This guidance is sought not only for opportunities but also for the words to speak boldly when those opportunities arise, as Paul prayed in Ephesians 6:19 [3].
Sources
- Colossians “Colossians 4:3 (BBE) — And making prayer for us, that God may give us an open door for the preaching of the word, the secret of Christ, for which I am now in chains;”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 1:13 (BSB) — And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them!”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 6:19 (BSB) — Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 5:10 (NASB) — trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Decision — Necessary to the service of God -- Lu 9:62. Exhortations to -- Jos 24:14,15. Exhibited in Seeking God with the heart. -- 2Ch 15:12. Keeping the commandments of God. -- Ne 10:29. Being on the Lord's side. -- Ex 32:26. Following God fully. -- Nu 14:24; 32:12; Jos 14:8. Serving God. -- Isa 56:6. Loving God perfectly. -- De 6:5. Blessedness of. -- Jos 1:7. Opposed to A divided service. -- Mt 6:24. Double-mindedness. -- Jas 1:8. Halting between two opinions. -- 1Ki 18:21. Turning to the right or left. -- De 5:32. Not setting the heart aright. -- Ps 78:8,37. Exe”
- Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 29:13: And ye shall seek me, and find me,.... When persons seek the Lord aright, they always find him; a God hearing prayer; a God in Christ; bestowing favours upon them; granting them his presence; indulging them in communion with him; and favouring them with fresh supplies of his grace, and everything needful for them; every mercy, temporal and spiritual; that is, when they seek him in Christ, who is the only way to the Father, under the guidance and influence of the blessed Spirit; in the exercise of faith upon him and his promises; with fervency of spirit and ardour o”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 55:6: The condition and limit in the obtaining of the spiritual benefits (Isa 55:1-3): (1) Seek the Lord. (2) Seek Him while He is to be found (Isa 65:1; Psa 32:6; Mat 25:1-13; Joh 7:34; Joh 8:21; Co2 6:2; Heb 2:3; Heb 3:13, Heb 3:15). call--casting yourselves wholly on His mercy (Rom 10:13). Stronger than "seek"; so "near" is more positive than "while He may be found" (Rom 10:8-9). near--propitious (Psa 34:18; Psa 145:18).”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 4:3: 4:3 that God will give us many opportunities (literally that God might open for us a door): An open door is a metaphor for an opportunity to proclaim the Good News (see also Acts 14:27; 1 Cor 16:9; 2 Cor 2:12). • his mysterious plan concerning Christ: See Col 1:26-27; 2:2. • That is why I am here in chains: Paul’s dedication to preaching the Good News had led to his imprisonment (see Colossians Book Introduction, “Date and Occasion of Writing”).”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 12:31: 12:31 Seek the Kingdom of God: Adopt God’s value system, pursue his purpose in the world, and submit to his authority.”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 62:8: Here we have David's exhortation to others to trust in God and wait upon him, as he had done. Those that have found the comfort of the ways of God themselves will invite others into those ways; there is enough in God for all the saints to draw from, and we shall have never the less for others sharing with us. I. He counsels all to wait upon God, as he did, Psa 62:8. Observe, 1. To whom he gives this good counsel: You people (that is, all people); all shall be welcome to trust in God, for he is the confidence of all the ends of the earth, Psa 65:5. You people of th”