It is common to hear the question, “Why do Calvinists evangelize?” But here, we consider how, which is also a good question. How do we speak the good news of the sovereign Lord Jesus who asserts that He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth? Here are a few answers to that question.

Humbly. Calvinists know that they are beggars who have found bread showing other beggars where to find bread (2 Kings 7). Those saved by a gracious, electing God will be humble, especially as they seek to win others to Him. Sinners only respond to the good news if the Holy Spirit regenerates their hearts through effectual calling. So, we have compassion on those who are dead in their sins.

Lovingly. Jesus calls us to love even our enemies, and so we are to love the people we evangelize. We love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19). Street evangelism, for instance, involves sharing good news and making new friends at the same time. Evangelism should be a gateway to more meaningful friendships with others as we show care for their souls.

Feelingly. The Apostle Paul frames his clearest teaching on the sovereign, electing plan of God in Romans with emotion. In Romans 9:2 he bleeds onto the page that he has great sorrow and unceasing anguish in his heart for his Jewish brothers. In Romans 10:1 he ends his teaching by writing, “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.” We too ought to experience great emotional desire to see unbelievers around us come to faith in Jesus Christ. True Calvinists will be moved to tearful prayers for the lost.

Joyfully. We love to announce births, engagements, and other good news. We get to proclaim that God not only forgives sinners, but that He is restoring all things through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who believe in Him will be presented mature in Jesus Christ. Such a comprehensive salvation, achieved only by an all-powerful God, fills us with joy as we make His praise known in all the earth (Isa. 12:3-6).

Clearly. Because we believe God is sovereign, we clearly proclaim God is Creator and Redeemer. He is a covenant-keeping God who holds His image bearers to account. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life; we declare that no one comes to the Father except through Him and that He will in no way cast out any who come to Him in faith and repentance. Paul requested prayer that he be enabled to preach the gospel clearly (Col. 4:4). We add nothing to the gospel that entices unbelievers.

Boldly. We speak with confidence knowing Jesus’ words, “All that the Father gives me will come to me” (John 6:37). Thus, we speak boldly, knowing that we will be fruitful according to God’s plan. He has elected people to salvation, and He predestined that we should be His witnesses. Everyone who is appointed to eternal life will believe (Acts 13:48). Our labor will not be in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).

Freely. Jesus calls His church to go make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20). We are commanded to declare the free offer of the gospel to all we can reach. God alone knows who the elect are. He simply tells us to be His witnesses. We witness by proclaiming Christ at all times, as fitting: in church, in our homes, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and communities. Like the believers in Acts, wherever we are scattered, we preach (Acts 8:4).

Prayerfully. Paul prayed for the lost in Romans 10, and he asked that others pray for him: “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you” (2 Thess. 3:1). He asked the saints to pray “also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (Eph. 6:18-20). If we believe God will save, we ought to uphold His promises in prayer.

Corporately. Jesus promises that all men will know we are His disciples by the love we have one for another (John 13:35). Our evangelism will be most robust when we invite unbelievers into our circles to see the lordship of Christ in action. They should be invited to church, into our homes, for meals, and more. One of the best low-pressure ways we speak truth to unbelievers is to invite them to overhear Christian discussions. And, frankly, we are more likely to speak when other Christians are with us to encourage and support us.

It has been said that Calvinists can sometimes be like fishermen who own the nicest boats with the best tackle and watch all the fishing shows and read all the fishing books but never drop a hook in the water. But consistent Calvinists drop hooks in the water like their Savior, and as He commands. As we evangelize like Jesus, we will also grow to see and understand more of His sovereignty.