Ae you one of the many Christians who are afraid to share your faith? Some Christians feel that they would not know what to say, others do not want to say anything that is likely to cause offense and still others are afraid of encountering people who are hostile to Christianity.
However, we are called to be witnesses. Jesus gave us what is called, the Great Commission before he left:
Mark 16: 16 (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
We believe that it is only though Jesus Christ that we can be saved – . Any other door does not lead to salvation and to heaven. Jesus himself said, 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9). He also said: 6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6). 2 Cor. 5:11 – Therefore, since we know the fear of the Lord [and understand the importance of obedience and worship], we persuade people [to be reconciled to Him] (Amp). We have an obligation to share what was entrusted to us by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Know the Tenets of the Faith
To effectively share your faith, you must know first what you believe. Do you know the foundational tenets of the Christian faith?
The Trinity
Christians believe in God as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God manifested as three person. This is a very difficult concept to explain but you can call on scriptures which as Matthew 17:5; 2 Peter 1:17; Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 42:1.
You can also use the following, ” God, His Word who is called His Son, and His Spirit are not three different Gods, but the reality within the One God. Without Spirit, God is dead, without Word or Mind, God is an idiot
– Archimndrite Daniel Byantoro
God
Christians believe in one God who is all-powerful (omnipotent), all-knowing (omniscient), and all-present (omnipresent). We believe God is perfect, holy, and good, and has existed before the beginning of time.
Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; that He came into the world to save humanity from sin. We believe that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way for salvation.
The resurrection
Christians believe in the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection after his death. The Christian faith hinges on this event.
Baptism
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Our immersion into water it is symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection of our saviour and our new life in him.
You must know these tenets well enough to explain them.
Be Prepared to Counter the “I am a good person” Argument
Be prepared to counter those who believe that they are “a good person” and that they will qualify for heaven based on their good works. The belief is that because they have not committed any ‘major’ sin, they are no so bad. You must be able to explain that man inherited a “sin nature” and so all have sinned (Rom. 3:23). Further, If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)
You must understand the biblical concept of salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Muslims, Buddhists, and even Christian cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that they must strive to earn God’s favour and work their way into heaven. The Bible does not support a works-based salvation:
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
The “I am a good person” argument is just one of the many objections that you may encounter; so be prepared.
Learn About the Major Faiths
Have at least a basic understanding of the faiths around you. What do Muslims believe? What are the basic teachings or world views of Hindus and Buddhists, atheists etc. It’s impossible to know everything, but a rudimentary understanding is helpful. With this knowledge you can prepare your counter arguments.
Proven ways to Share Your Faith
Look for opportunities to ask thought provoking questions: What does your religion teach about heaven? How do you get there? Are you going to heaven as a believer? How do you know?
The point of asking these questions is to get them thinking; not necessarily to go into what you believe. The hope is that they will be curious enough to ask you what you believe and give you the opportunity to share your faith.
Consider other questions such as, “do you think about the afterlife?” or “Do you ever attend church?” And follow up with questions to find out their position on Christianity and their relationship with Christ.
Share Bibles and other Christian literature. The New Testament – The Bible’s Four Gospels – offered through LivingWaters.com is particularly helpful. It includes answers to commonly asked questions such as: Why Christianity? How do we know God exists? Do we know the Bible is true? How could a loving God create hell? What about people who have never heard of Jesus?
Build Relationships
Cultivate relationships and invite people of other faiths to church or home Bible Study. Do not assume that they will not be interested.
Offer to pray on the spot – when someone is ill, going through difficulty, suffering a loss etc. Ask, “Do you Mind if I pray for you now?” Pray in the name of Jesus and then show that you care with later enquiries.
Show yourself friendly and look for opportunities to say what Christ has done in your life that makes things different for you. For example, why you have peace when others are stressed; why you are always hopeful; why you feel secure despite what is happening in the world around you.
Strive to work well with everyone and pray that you will be a true reflection of Christ. Pray also that you will recognize the opportunities given to you to present Christ and that you will be bold enough to speak. You may be their first introduction to Jesus.
Find Your Voice – graciously voice your objection when you are asked or expected to participate in something that violates your religious beliefs.
Tips for Sharing with a Stranger:
Here Tony Evans offers a guide as to what to say when you witness to others: Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVY8uvTySGY
We can always think of creative ways to reach others for Christ if we are genuine in our desire to do so. Keep in prayer and Holy Spirt will tell you what to do.