How do you share your faith with others? What is the right way to tell people about God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ? Is there a biblical method that works better then man-made systems of evangelism? The Apostle Peter addresses just these things in a first century letter.
1 Peter 3:15-16: "But in your hearts set apart 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (NIV)
First Peter starts where faith starts with Christ as Lord of your heart. Not just Lord in name only but Lord (master) over your heart.
The Bible tells us that it's with the heart that men and women believe unto salvation. Jesus said from the things that rule the heart the mouth speak. Faith in God is not dead faith, it is active faith that is reflected by the words of your mouth, and meditations of your heart. Have you set Christ as Lord of your heart?
Secondly be prepared, to give an answer. Not just ready to answer theological questions, not just ready to win the arguments about who Jesus is. But ready to tell people why you have hope. Hope is defined as the expectation of coming good. There is a coming good that all who are born of the Spirit of God have - the coming good of eternal life in the presence of God, as well as the coming good of the return of Jesus Christ which the Bible calls "the blessed hope."
Do you have this hope? Tell others about it.
Thirdly, share your faith is with "gentleness and respect." No one was ever argued into faith in God. No one has ever been beaten down to accept Christ as Lord. Look at Jesus' example - he ate with people of questionable character, he touched the untouchables. Jesus hung around "sinners" and spoke hard things to them, and yet many listened to him. Why? He treated people with gentleness and respect, like the Samaritan woman he met at a well. She had been divorced five times and was currently living with a man who she was not married to. Yet when Jesus spoke to her, he told her he knew all that, then offered to her the "living water" that wells us into eternal life. The law of the Lord says:
Matt 7:12: "In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you..."
Finally, Peter speaks about our behaviors. He tells us to live in such a way that your good behavior in Christ would speak volumes to them. What is your example to others? Does your life reflect a life of faith? Do people read the gospel in your life. There's an old poem by Gilbert that says it all.
You're writing a gospel; a chapter a day.
By the things that you do; and the words that you say.
Men read what you've written; whether faithless or true.
What is the gospel; according to you?
If you say you have faith, share it with others.
-- Rich Lammay is pastor at High Sierra Fellowship.
