Joseph Otsibah 
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:16; Romans 12:1–2
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence, your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds, and praise your Father in heaven. — Matthew 5:16 (AMP)
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. — Romans 12:1–2 (KJV)
ABSTRACT
This article explores the concept of evangelism as an inseparable aspect of Christian living. It emphasizes that every believer is called not only to preach but also to live the gospel daily through conduct, relationships, and integrity. The discussion highlights how lifestyle evangelism is a continuous act of worship and a means of reflecting Christ to the world. It also identifies barriers that hinder effective witness and proposes ways Christians can model Christ in public spaces. Ultimately, the paper encourages believers to embrace evangelism as a natural expression of their transformed identity in Christ.
KEYWORDS: Evangelism, Lifestyle, Christian Witness, Transformation, Faith in Action, Public Faith, Christian Character
INTRODUCTION
The Christian faith is not lived in isolation; therefore, every aspect of our lives and what we do must reflect and project our identity from within (Col. 3:23). The reason is that our old nature was nailed to the cross through the death of Christ (Gal. 5:24). We have gained a new identity and nature (2 Cor. 5:17). The new form we have received from Christ is not subjected to any law, as indicated in Galatians 5:23b, which says, “Against such things there is no law.”
The old nature, as indicated above, refers to the Adamic nature—the corrupt man, acts of wickedness, and the depraved man, which were good for nothing, have been refined through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross. As a result, all who have acknowledged Jesus as their Lord and personal Saviour have received a new spiritual birth inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit.
This new birth affects every fabric of a person’s life—first the mind, then the character and purpose. This is why the new creation believer cannot choose to live any kind of life other than the one he or she has received from above. It is on this note that lifestyle evangelism cannot be a choice but a daily act of worship to God in every endeavour we find ourselves in as God’s agents and ambassadors on earth, being faithful to the faith we profess (Heb. 4:14).
To help understand this subject clearly, the discussion will focus on the following:
- What is evangelism?
- What is lifestyle and its impact on persons?
- Evangelism as a lifestyle
- Hindrances to lifestyle evangelism
- Reasons why lifestyle evangelism is so crucial
- How one can model Christ in the public space
WHAT IS EVANGELISM?
Basically, evangelism is the act of propagating the good news of Jesus Christ with the aim of winning and turning many into the light (the Kingdom of God). This call demands a conscious effort and deliberate attention.
The core mandate of the Church is to preach the Word and make disciples (Matt. 28:18–20; Mark 16:14–20; Luke 24:46–48; John 20:21).
We must understand that the Good News is not truly good news until it reaches the people who need to hear it. This is why the Church must be intentional about evangelism, because the Church thrives on evangelism. The Church exists because of evangelism—it is her lifeline, the foundation of her existence. Evangelism is not a choice but a mandate that must be prioritized above everything else.
The dual purpose of the Church, as indicated in the verses below, is that we are redeemed from darkness into the light of Christ and sent back into the world as salt and light to possess and transform it with Kingdom values and principles (Matt. 28:18–20; 1 Pet. 2:9; Col. 1:13).
This divine calling represents:
- SALVATION: Leaving behind sin and darkness means recognizing one’s need for redemption, accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and embracing the forgiveness and new life He offers.
- TRANSFORMATION: Living a life guided by God’s light (the Word), principles, and values means seeking God’s guidance through prayer and Scripture, aligning thoughts, words, and actions with biblical teachings, and growing in character, integrity, and holiness.
- PURPOSE: Sharing God’s love and light with others means reflecting God’s love through actions and words, sharing personal experiences and testimonies, serving others, spreading hope, and pointing others to Jesus in every step we take.
This calling represents a journey of spiritual growth, service, and sharing God’s love with others. By fulfilling this dual purpose, the Church can bring hope and light to a darkened world, demonstrate God’s rulership and presence in every phase of society, and advance the Kingdom of God on earth.
When the Church is faithful to its calling, it becomes a healing agency in society—able to lift a whole nation or even an empire to a higher plateau of healthy, wholesome living—bringing glory to God and turning many to Christ. (Apostle Eric Nyamekye)
WHAT IS LIFESTYLE?
Lifestyle refers to the way a person lives, including their habits, behaviour, values, and choices. It encompasses every aspect of one’s life and is often influenced by culture, environment, economic status, and personal choices. Lifestyle plays a big role in shaping a person’s identity and worldview.
To narrow this discussion to the Christian faith, in this Kingdom, we have a lifestyle—a lifestyle that depicts the true character and beauty of our Lord Jesus. The Christian life is not lived in isolation.
Kevin J. Conner says, “Doctrine received, believed, and practised determines one’s character, behaviour, and destiny.”
It therefore means that our lives as Christians must be able to communicate and reflect the doctrine we believe.
Referencing the main text, moral excellence, often translated as “virtue” or “goodness,” refers to living a life that reflects God’s character and aligns with His moral standards. It is about actively pursuing righteousness, holiness, and striving to be a person of integrity, honesty, and uprightness. This concept calls believers to emulate God’s excellence in their own lives (2 Pet. 1:5–7).
EVANGELISM AS A LIFESTYLE
- INTENTIONAL LIVING THAT REFLECTS GOD’S LOVE AND GRACE
Evangelism as a lifestyle simply means living intentionally in a way that reflects God’s love and grace. It is about purposefully embodying the character of Christ in everyday life—a kind of life that demonstrates the nature of Christ and makes the gospel message evident through our daily actions and interactions.
The gospel becomes visible not just through preaching but through how we treat others with kindness, patience, forgiveness, and humility. It challenges believers to ask: Does my life make the gospel attractive and credible?
Key idea: My life and your life should preach the gospel even when our mouths are closed.
- DEMONSTRATING OUR FAITH IN THE PUBLIC SPACE
Our faith and belief should not be limited to private devotion; they belong in every space we occupy—workplace, school, online, and community. “Religiosity without righteousness will not transform our nation,” says Apostle Eric Nyamekye.
Christians should not be ashamed of what they believe. We cannot continue to confine the faith we profess within the four walls of the church auditorium. We need to yield ourselves to the transformation process under the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit. Through this, our values will shape the world around us. Let us go out and display Jesus Christ to the watching world.
It also means living with integrity—being the same person in public as you claim to be in private.
KEY IDEA: Let your life be a clear, consistent representation of your faith to the world.
- EVANGELISM THROUGH WINSOME LIVING
This speaks to relational, lifestyle-based evangelism—not just speaking about Jesus but showing Him through how we live (1 Cor. 2:1–5). The term winsome implies being gentle, respectful, appealing, and full of grace—drawing others to Christ through attraction, not pressure.
It is about being intentional in our interactions with non-believers, knowing that every moment could be a chance to reflect Christ. Our strategy should not be just proclamation but demonstration—a life that invites curiosity about Jesus.
“A consistent Christian lifestyle builds credibility and opens doors for conversations about faith.” — Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo
This is why you don’t need to wait for a scheduled or planned evangelism programme before you begin to evangelize. It is a lifestyle—a daily act we must be conscious of whenever we step out of our private zones.
We therefore need to reject the idea that Kingdom work happens mainly in church services or on stage and respond to God’s invitation to join Him in reshaping the world in ordinary places—markets, schools, courts, hospitals, and so on. —Apostle Eric Nyamekye
HINDRANCES TO LIFESTYLE EVANGELISM
- SHYNESS: Most believers feel shy to disclose their identity in public spaces for fear of ridicule. But Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” (Rom. 1:16). The Christian youth must not be ashamed of living the Kingdom lifestyle in the public square, for the Church is the only hope of our Lord. Outside the Church, God has no glory. Christ in us is the hope and manifestation of God’s glory (Col. 1:27).
- FEAR: Another major hindrance to the gospel in the workplace is fear—fear of persecution, rejection, or even dismissal (2 Tim. 1:7–9).
- UNREPENTANT HEART: For one to develop roots and capacity in this Kingdom, there is a need for genuine repentance and total transformation through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. Without this, the born-again experience cannot be fully realized.
REASONS WHY LIFESTYLE EVANGELISM IS SO CRUCIAL
- The majority of Christians spend most of their time in the public sphere; therefore, it is the most fertile ground for ministry.
- The end product of our belief and faith is the lifestyle we live; we must therefore make the services we render known to the world.
- The true identity of a group of people is their lifestyle, because lifestyle cannot be faked (Acts 11:26).
- Speech can be copied, but lifestyle cannot. This means the actual Christian life is lived outside the four corners of the church auditorium.
- It is one of the most effective ways of witnessing Christ to unbelievers.
HOW CAN ONE MODEL CHRIST IN THE PUBLIC SPACE?
The first point of living an evangelical lifestyle is genuine repentance. We know repentance to be an inward conviction, but it also has a great impact on the outward life of the person.
I. J. Parker defines repentance as:
“Changing one’s mind so that one’s views, values, goals, and ways are changed, and one’s own life is lived differently. The change is radical—both inwardly and outwardly: mind and judgment, will and affection, behaviour and lifestyle, motive and purpose are all involved.”
What we learn about Christ affects our minds, values, motives, goals, purpose, and principles. This is what we need to reflect to the watching world.
CONCLUSION
For a better approach and effective reaching out to the world with the gospel, the Church—and for that matter, the Christian—should not isolate themselves from the world. We need to actively engage the world and influence its systems with Kingdom values and principles.
Let us all remember that we are channels through which God can reach out to the dying world. Let us embrace this divine call and join Jesus on the streets to impact our world with salt and light.
Written by: Elder Wisdom Mbiba Yaw (PENSA Ghana, Evangelism Head / wisdommbiba@gmail.com)
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