“…they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)
Does it really matter whether or not we attempt to share our faith? Isn’t it just enough that we accept what God says and then just try and live out our belief? There are several misconceptions about this that prevent us from effectively talking to people about our faith.
Myth One is that, whether we share our faith or not, people will not die and go to Hell. We may embrace this myth because we really REALLY don’t believe there is a literal, eternal Hell that people will go who have rejected Christ in this life. But if there is no literal Hell, then neither did there need to be a literal cross for Jesus to suffer and die upon.
Myth Two is the acceptance of a politically correct practice of religion that doesn’t “push” it on someone who may differ with us. We are penalized and intimidated more because of this assumption than almost any other. While I have a problem with anyone “pushing” anything on anyone, I certainly do not believe it to be wrong to share from our heart what the Lord has done for us and to try lovingly to persuade them to accept it.
Myth Three is problematic for several reasons. It implies that, “If we simply live our faith genuinely then people will just see and know that Jesus died for them.” Wrong on several counts. It is wrong, first, because it presumes that you can live out your faith clearly enough that people will see Christ well enough to believe in Him. You can’t. They won’t. While it is very true that we must be consistent in our lifestyle and profession, the transmission of the Gospel from the New Testament on has required a VERBAL witness to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is wrong, also, because if we manage to live a halfway decent life in front of a lost world, they will simply assume you are a moral, righteous, or nice person. Their default interpretation will not be that “they have been with Jesus.”
All to say, WE MUST SHARE CHRIST. We must tell people what He means to us. We must tell them at every open door we are given. We must STOP BEING SILENT because we are intimidated by political correctness, fear of reprisals personally or professionally, or temperamental backwardness.
I pray that ONCE, between now and Easter, you will have a chance to share your faith with a non-believing individual. If you don’t know how, please locate the “3 Circles” App (Life Conversations app) or go to our website at www.fruitcove.com to download it.
Sharing your faith WILL….CHANGE….YOU. And hopefully, another will see eternity change for them!