Thursday, July 15, 2010

Connecting Life with Faith: Being a Witness

As Christians, many of us hear the term "evangelism." We imagine some form of religious sales pitch, or something to be memorized from a pamphlet. Sharing the gospel message is very important. After all Jesus was very clear that His followers were to be "witnesses" to Jerusalem and even to the ends of the earth.

But what I want to focus on is the word "witness." Sometimes we can overcomplicate things when sharing our faith as a form of pressured appeal.

First of all, witnesses don`t necessarily walk around in public and declare their testimony. Imagine the courtroom, witnesses are asked questions and have answers ready to share. "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." Peter 3:15

Secondly a witness talks about their experiences, their story, their personal testimony. Certainly it may not be objective, but what we are called to do is share what Christ has done for us and is doing in our lives now. It doesn`t need to be complex theology, or argumentative. It is simply the tale of your life with Christ.

Now it helps to have a collection of stories and experiences to tell your audience. But what reaches them more is the enthusiasm and Spirit in which you speak. If you are truly exicted about your life in Christ, it will most certainly show.

Recently I had a chance to be a witness to a friend of mine and I was reminded of the joy it can bring. I was reminded of one of the greatest experiences of following Christ: sharing your history with Him with another.

Let`s remember that we are witnesses. We are eye witnesses to Christ`s work in our lives. Our testimonies will always be used by God, either to soften or harden hearts. Our responsibility, our calling is to simply speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth....so help us God.

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