Telling others #2: The Starting point
If we really have allowed Jesus to be the Lord of our lives, then witnessing will be much more of a response than a duty or requirement. What do I mean by this? Well, if we are really living with Christ at the center of our lives then people will be asking us about our faith and we will simply respond to their queries rather than having to find ways of starting evangelistic conversations.Too many people think that faith-sharing must always be confrontational. While there are some examples of this in Scripture, it is more effective and important to get alongside people and have them come to us because they like what they see. (But we must not exclude the possibility that sometimes we need to start a conversation with a stranger or "get into someone's face", but this should only be at the express prompting of the Spirit with deep compassion and not because of guilt, arrogance or some kind of gospel "scalp-hunting" campaign.)
Peter calls on his readers to live such attractive lives that people will ask them about their faith. How is this done?
- It starts with enthroning Jesus in our own hearts.
- Then we live attractive lives that make others thirsty
- We speak graciously and respectfully
- We make sure our actions speak as loudly as our words do
We'll explore these four ideas over the next few days...
In the meantime, we need to ask ourselves whether people around us see us as people of hope...
Do they see the love, faith, and hope of Christ shining in our hearts?
The children's song is true: Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.
| But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess. Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you. (1Peter3:15-16) |
