Sharing Our Faith
I get a little pamphlet written by Mart De Haan with my monthly Our Daily Bread. In this one he highlights why it can be hard to share our faith. He brings up some things I've never thought about before noting that, "Peter's own writings seem to call for a witness that leads by example rather than by fearless confrontations. He urged followers of Christ to endure tough circumstances with attitudes that would give others reason to begin asking questions (I Peter 3:15).
De Haan continues, "(I Peter 1:1), Peter taught the principle of using what we have been given for the sake of others. He wrote, 'God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another [so that God's generosity can flow through you]. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ' (4:10-11 NLT)."
De Haan questions, "But what if we are not personally making disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to do all that Jesus told us to do? Does that mean we are not taking seriously the Great Commission of Jesus?" Later he continues, "At the same time, imagine how much false guilt and needless feelings of spiritual defeat we have put on one another by assuming and insisting that we are all called to be the same kind of witness."
He ends with this prayer, "Father in heaven, please give us the wisdom to know how and when to say what is in our hearts, and when to let the hope and love You have given us quietly do the talking."
I remember the woman who eventually led me to the Lord. She was a quiet and unassuming woman who stood out in the crass and ungodly work environment I was in. One woman claimed to be a white witch and did daily spells on the door of the work place as we were getting robbed regularly at night. (Later we found out it was the owner's son who was a drug addict.) Another woman was a prostitute at night and brought photos to share of her nightly activities. Even as an unbeliever, I was drawn to the woman, Sandy, who worked hard helping customers, cleaning shelves and staying out of the conversations of these other two employees.
Finally one day I asked her, "Do you go to church or something?" She replied, "Yes, would you like to go with me sometime?" And the journey of a lifetime started for me and won't end for an eternity. What kind of questions do people ask about your life? KT
De Haan continues, "(I Peter 1:1), Peter taught the principle of using what we have been given for the sake of others. He wrote, 'God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another [so that God's generosity can flow through you]. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ' (4:10-11 NLT)."
De Haan questions, "But what if we are not personally making disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to do all that Jesus told us to do? Does that mean we are not taking seriously the Great Commission of Jesus?" Later he continues, "At the same time, imagine how much false guilt and needless feelings of spiritual defeat we have put on one another by assuming and insisting that we are all called to be the same kind of witness."
He ends with this prayer, "Father in heaven, please give us the wisdom to know how and when to say what is in our hearts, and when to let the hope and love You have given us quietly do the talking."
I remember the woman who eventually led me to the Lord. She was a quiet and unassuming woman who stood out in the crass and ungodly work environment I was in. One woman claimed to be a white witch and did daily spells on the door of the work place as we were getting robbed regularly at night. (Later we found out it was the owner's son who was a drug addict.) Another woman was a prostitute at night and brought photos to share of her nightly activities. Even as an unbeliever, I was drawn to the woman, Sandy, who worked hard helping customers, cleaning shelves and staying out of the conversations of these other two employees.
Finally one day I asked her, "Do you go to church or something?" She replied, "Yes, would you like to go with me sometime?" And the journey of a lifetime started for me and won't end for an eternity. What kind of questions do people ask about your life? KT
Roman Colosseum where many Christians lost their lives for their faith. May they be remembered.
I Peter 3:13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
I Peter 3:13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
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