Sharing Your Faith

The sign at the exit of the Hephzibah parking lot says, “You are now entering your mission field.” Though most Hephzibeans agree wholeheartedly with the truth of that sign, often it proves difficult to incorporate that into everyday life. Sometimes Christians are too nervous, or too embarrassed to share their faith at work, school, or on the street. Sometimes Christians are ready and willing to share the gospel, but struggle turning the conversation to spiritual matters. Yet it is the mission and purpose of every Christian to intentionally share the good news that man can be freed from the bondage of sin through Christ who died on the cross and rose from the grave. Christians carry with them the greatest truth that has ever existed, but to deliver that truth to a doubting world is often difficult, but perhaps you can be encouraged by a few methods that will help to embolden those who are willing to share their faith.

In order to effectively share the gospel Christians must have deep compassion for those with whom they plan to share. School campuses and work places are often ideal settings for building relationships. Take the time to ask your co-workers and classmates’ questions about “who they are.” Those are the type of questions that will turn co-workers and classmates into friends. Mix questions about family and interests with questions about spiritual matters. Inevitably those questions will be returned, and you will be able to share your faith in Christ. Even if your convictions on spiritual matters do not agree with your new friend’s; your opinion will in most cases be held in higher regard than that of the person who shouts “turn or burn” on the local street corner. Building relationships is an integral part of sharing the gospel.

If you have true transforming faith in Christ, then you have one of the most effective gospel-sharing tools-your testimony. Every believer has a unique story of how God through Christ transformed a condemned-to-death-sinner into a son or daughter of Almighty God. You do not have to be a former mobster, drug addict, serial-killer, etc. in order to have a powerful testimony (however if either of those descriptions applies to you then you also have a very powerful testimony). God may have kept you from your youth, and that in and of itself is powerful. If you were four or forty when your eyes were opened to the gospel you have a great story: God saved you (a sinner) from His just wrath toward sin in Christ, and transformed you from sinner to son by grace through the Holy Spirit. Letting God’s grace speak for itself, is a powerful means by which you can share the gospel with those who you come in contact with at work, school, or the grocery store.

Sometimes Christians are led to believe that it is necessary to memorize the most popular evangelistic strategy in order to effectively share the gospel. Though there is nothing inherently wrong with evangelistic strategies, scripture itself communicates the gospel more effectively than any strategy of man. Let scripture speak for itself: John 3; Romans 3:19-26; Romans 6:1-14, Ephesians 2:1-10 and other passages clearly describe man’s sinful condition, need for a savior, provision of a savior in Christ, freedom from sin, and undeserved reward of Heaven. It is a good idea to read and reread these passages for personal edification and to gain a proper personal understanding of what exactly the gospel is (you certainly want to know what these passages are saying before you use them to share your faith). Be prepared to answer questions raised by those who you are sharing with, but do not feel as if you must be so knowledgeable that you can answer every question raised. “I don’t know” is an appropriate response to a question raised as long as you search for the answer and respond in a timely fashion.

These methods of sharing the gospel certainly do not in and of themselves entirely compensate for our inadequacies. Christians are attempting to convey the greatest truth that has ever existed which can be quite nerve-racking. The most important thing to remember when we attempt to share the gospel is that we must rely solely on the Holy Spirit to guide our words and convict the one with whom we are sharing. The Holy Spirit must do the work; we are merely the vessels He uses. He will speak, and He will convict. With that most important concept in mind we can use the, afore mentioned tools, intertwined with our love, to minister to a people desperately in need of a Savior. -GBuff

"For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!"-1 Cor 9:16

Sorry this post is so long.