Why do we not evangelize? Mark Dever provides one explanation: it has the potential for immediate discomfort. Someone might get mad at us, they might reject our message, etc.

We typically want to process our experiences immediately, and if they are unpleasant, we are inclined to change course in order to some way avoid the discomfort of the difficult comment or the pain that comes to us by a long obedience.

Mark Dever, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism (p. 98)

And yet we are called to a long obedience, as unpleasant as it may be. We are called to evangelize, and other duties that produce immediate unpleasantness (discipleship, exhortation, rebuke…). And we are called to rejoice in the unpleasantness, even to the point of suffering and persecution.

1 Peter 3:13-17

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but 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, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. (ESV)

No, this is not a tribute to the Veggie Tales… (Though I do love those guys.)

Rather, it is an observation from The Geneva Bible on the creation of man. Observe how God creates the other creatures of the earth:

Genesis 1:20

20 And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” (ESV)

Genesis 1:24

24 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. (ESV)

And now, notice how God creates Man:

Genesis 1:26

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (ESV)

While He commands the other creatures to be “brought forth,” with Man, he says “Let Us make…” There is definitely a special, distinct act performed here which is not the same as the other creatures.

Or, as the Geneva Bible states it:

God commanded the water and the earth to bring forth other creatures: but of man he saith, Let us make: signifying, that God taketh counsel with his wisdom and virtue, purposing to make an excellent work above all the rest of his creation.

Truly, God made you special.