In our study of Philemon a few Sunday nights ago, Philemon 1:6 said, “That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” Philemon was faced with the difficult task of forgiving someone who had caused him loss. By demonstrating the right Godly character, he would be able to share the faith effectively.
Pastor Paul Chappell offers some other great ways that we can effectively be a witness for Jesus. Over the next couple of days, take time to prayerfully consider each point.
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Every growing Christian desires to share their faith effectively.
This desire is natural because if you know the Lord, you want others to know Him too.
Jesus Himself commanded us to share the gospel: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). This Great Commission is not just for pastors or missionaries; it is for every Christian.
Even so, many believers feel uncertain about how to begin. A Lifeway Research poll revealed that while nine in ten (92 percent) Christians want to share their faith, fewer than one in five (18 percent) feel prepared to do so.
As a Christian, my own desire is to share the gospel personally throughout the week. And as a pastor, my prayer is to help God’s people grow confident and effective in sharing their faith.
Here are seven ways to strengthen your testimony and share Christ with others.
- Be Caring
Every person you meet has an eternal soul that will spend eternity either in Heaven or in Hell. Acts 4:12 reminds us there is only one way to Heaven: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
This is a message we must give to people.
One of the great obstacles to our witness, however, is busyness. Sometimes we just get so preoccupied in our needs and schedules that we forget the great need of people around us. When Jesus saw people, He didn’t feel annoyed with or inconvenienced by them. He was “moved with compassion” toward them (Matthew 9:36).
The best way I know to sustain a heartfelt burden for souls is to daily pray for God to help me see lost people with His compassion. I find as I pray for this, God opens doors of opportunity and opens my heart to the needs of others.
- Be Intentional
A lack of witnessing is not always the result of a calloused attitude toward souls. Sometimes it’s just fifth or sixth on a list we never get around to finishing. A good way to combat this tendency is to schedule times of purposeful outreach.
Purposeful witness requires purposeful planning. Gospel-focused churches provide an organized program for evangelism with a goal of saturating their communities with the gospel. And gospel-focused Christians can engage in this great endeavor by putting it on their calendars.
- Be Relational
There are no doubt people God has already placed in your life—family, friends, neighbors, coworkers—who do not know Christ. Steward those relationships. Be careful to maintain a godly testimony and to show the love of Christ. And then pray and look for opportunities to share the gospel, perhaps at times by inviting them to special outreach events at church.
Another way to be relational is to maintain a prospect list. This is simply a list of people who you have made contact with in relation to the gospel. It may be someone you met in organized church outreach or a guest you met at church. It may be a friend who has responded positively to your invitation to come to church. Keep those names and contact information together in one place so you have it to pray through and to keep reaching out.
*https://ministry127.com/seven-ways-to-be-an-effective-christian-witness
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