Why are many in the evangelical tradition so reluctant to use certain words when doing evangelism/discipleship?  We act like there’s a check-list of terms we must mark up, and a black-list to avoid, when witnessing to someone or preaching from the pulpit.  There are probably some you should include (Jesus, sin, come to mind); but I’m sure the list is often shorter than we make it out to be.  There is an unnecessary stigma attached to using words like “plan,” & “purpose.”  Why is that?  Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, one of the Bible’s most theologically rich books, includes a section that beautifully incorporates a rich palette of words which point us to the person of Jesus.

In love ⁵he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight ⁹ making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ ¹⁰as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. ¹¹In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, ¹²so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:5-12 (ESV)

See also Acts 13:36; Romans 8:28; Romans 9:11; Romans 9:17; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 2:15; Philippians 2:2; Philippians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; 2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 3:10; Hebrews 6:17.

Does God not have a plan for your life?  What about a purpose for you to be driven by?  Yes, and yes.

When we start over-idealizing certain words it can lead to idolization.  Some Christians would do well to remember that we are not metaphysical dualists of the platonic tradition.  God is not expressed in the non-physical world of “forms” (ideas).  Words are not to be worshiped.  Words are a means to an end.  Words are supposed to point us to truth.

Christianity goes one step further- words point us to a person, Jesus Christ.  Should a word accomplish the purpose of God, which is ultimately worship, we should judge less the language used and cast out the fear we attach to it as well.

There is enough room in the vocabulary of God’s church for more than our preferred vernacular.  You have access to “plan, purpose, gospel, sin, atonement, justification etc.”  May the Spirit lead you in effective contextualization and healthy application of  his sacred language.