SHARING OUR FAITH WITH OTHERS
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
1 Peter 3:15-16 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
There are powerful thoughts in this passage about being able to share our faith with others. I have long thought that wearing a t-shirt that says “Turn or Burn” is not an attractive way to share our faith.
Studies in the United States show that about 80% of people who don’t attend church say they would attend if someone they trusted invited them. There are two key components to this stat—they have to be invited, and it has to be by someone they trust.
Let’s start with the trust issue. Rarely have I seen it work to walk up to a total stranger and invite them to church. For me it is usually a process of winning their trust. This is what I believe Peter was referring to when he said we are to explain our faith in a “gentle and respectful way.”
We don’t attack, we show respect and offer gentle thoughts.
One of the conversations I seem to have with unbelievers or the unchurched is about why does God allow all the bad things to happen in the world. Why does God not stop the bad people from doing bad things. Their logic is “Why would a loving God allow these bad people to do these things?”
After listening to people who are experts in this area I have developed my respectful response. I usually will point out that God made each of us with a free-will. We like the ability we can do what we want, when we want. If we want a God that removes the free-will from others because they are bad, then do we want God to remove our free-will if we want to do something bad? And, who determines what is bad?
Do we lose our free-will only if it hurts children? Are, should God remove our free-will if our actions will hurt anyone, including ourselves? If the latter is the case then many will think God is killing their “fun.”
I believe we need to be ready to give answers to tough questions. This means as a follower of Jesus I need to read, listen to podcasts, or check out the people who believe in the authority of the Bible and have wrestled with the tough questions. I even suggest we have some conversations in our small groups to tackle this conversation and practice how to respond to the various questions.
Don’t shy away from questions. Admit when someone has a good point. Admit you might not have all the answers. Then go look for answers. (Be careful to look for answers from people who believe the authority of the Bible.)
As you have conversations and look for answers be sure you are demonstrating love and respect. Let there be something about your life that is attractive. Your conversation should always show respect and acceptance of the other person. You don’t win people to Christ by attacking or criticizing them.
Let’s be ready to give answers about the tough questions of life. We can count on the Holy Spirit to help us.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me to be ready to give an answer for why I believe in You. Help me to always show respect in a gentle way. Help me live a life that is attractive to others.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
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