Focal Passages: Romans
1:14-17; 9:1-3; 10:1, 14-15; 15:17-20
After accepting Christ as my
Savior, years passed before I shared my faith with anyone except my children.
I would eagerly have shared
a book, a recipe, or an idea. Why was I tongue-tied about sharing my faith — my
most valuable possession?
Jesus commanded us to “Go,
and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19-20). Research reveals that
Jesus’ command to go is more accurately translated as the present participle
going. Jesus virtually said, “While going, make disciples.”
The enemy had convinced me
that verbalizing my faith was not necessary — that living a good life was
sufficient. Then one day the Holy Spirit reminded me that since I accepted
Christ, no one ever said, “I have observed your life; therefore Jesus died for
my sins.”
Still I hesitated to witness
verbally. Suppose I offended people? Suppose they asked questions I couldn’t
answer?
To my knowledge, I’ve not
yet offended anyone; and when I’m asked a question I can’t answer, I smile and
say, “I don’t know the answer to that. Can I research it and get back in touch
with you?” If their question is a “smoke screen,” such as, “Did Adam have a
belly button?” I laugh and answer, “I don’t know, but one thing I do know —
once I was spiritually blind, and now I can see,” and I continue sharing my
faith.
Why didn’t my life inform
people that I was a Christian? Because lives can’t talk; only lips can speak.
Of course, my life should verify my speech, (walk the talk), but witnessing is
a matter of show and tell. Many
non-believers live good lives and know about Christ, but knowing about Christ is
far different from knowing Him.
I experienced new joy in
Christ the day I chose Romans 1:16 for my signature Scripture: “I am not
ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who
believes.”
Where I once saw vacationers on the beach, fans at the game, and
shoppers in the mall, I now see lost people as our Lord did — like sheep
without a shepherd.
Jesus came to earth on a
rescue mission “to seek and to save the lost” (Lk. 19:10). He urges us to join
Him. Witnessing is simply sharing Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and
leaving the results to God.