Esther 8:17b (ESV)

And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.

From this verse we are not sure whether people were pretending to be Jews because they were afraid of them, or whether they were actually becoming Jews because they were in awe of them. The NET Bible translates this verse, “Many of the resident peoples pretended to be Jews, because the fear of the Jews had overcome them.” The LXX (the Greek version of the Old Testament used at the time of Christ), however, treats the text as referring to genuine conversion. It reads, “They were being circumcised and they became Jews.”

Whether genuine or not, people were apparently becoming Jews because of the influence of the Jews in the Persian Empire. I wrote about Jeremiah 29:7 in an earlier blog, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” As the Jews did that God protected and blessed them. Their presence had an impact on those around them. I think that sometimes we have been so focused on “getting people saved” that we have turned evangelism into salesmanship. We have believed and acted as though it was our responsibility to compel people into praying the prayer and getting saved by whatever means possible. That was never Jesus’ methodology. Neither was that the methodology of the early church.

Acts 2:46-47 (ESV)

[46] And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, [47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

It was the Lord that added to their number day by day. It was the Lord that moved people to be saved. The early Christians were meeting together, eating together, and fellowshipping together. Their presence impacted the community, but the Lord changed people’s hearts. Yes, God has given us the ministry of reconciliation (2Cor 5:18), but he has not given us the role or responsibility to play Holy Spirit in people’s lives. Jesus said that it is the Holy Spirit who “will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8 ESV).

Our lives ought to point people to Christ rather than our words coercing people into praying a prayer. Our lives ought to raise questions in people’s minds, rather than imposing answers on people who are not even asking questions. Peter reminds believers, “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15 ESV).

Do we live in such a way that people see hope in us? Do we live in such a way that people ask where that hope comes from? Are we ready to answer with gentleness and respect? Are people wanting to become believers because they see something in us that they are lacking? If not, what needs to change? Evangelism is not about salesmanship. It is about people seeing hope in us. It is about people seeing Christ in us. It is about being ready to share the foundation of our hope as the opportunity arises. As believers, let’s move away from a sales mentality, and truly live as people of hope.