Do We Still Need to Share Our Faith? By Tom Stipe

As we begin this fresh study of the Book of Acts together it has become abundantly clear this early church document is made up of a sequence of personal confrontations. Over and over again we see encounters between parties of one belief and those of another; the challenge of the claims of Christ presented to one group or individual after another. Each story is different, but the mission is the same. The man at the temple gate, the Ethiopian Eunuch, Simon the Sorcerer, Lydia, the philosophers on Mars Hill, the silversmiths of Ephesus and so on are all narratives about Christians spreading their testimony of faith in Christ. Story after story reports believers sharing and demonstrating their belief in the resurrected Christ.

Today, one poll after another seems to indicate Christians are becoming more passive about presenting their beliefs. Only 33% of born-again evangelicals consider it their responsibility to share their faith! During the 80’s there was no net new evangelism, meaning that nationwide there were just enough new conversions to replace Christians that died during that entire decade. The 90’s gave us “political correctness” and moral relativism. The first decade of the 2000’s tagged believers as backward, bigoted religious fanatics who need to keep their mouths shut. Many have bought into the propaganda, feeling they need to apologize for believing in Jesus. However, Christians everywhere still need to evaluate this important dynamic called Evangelism.

The world says, “Mind your own business,” and claims modern progressive thinking accepts every religion as true. It’s socially unacceptable and politically incorrect to “impose” your beliefs on someone. Truth is relative to the individual. Right and wrong is simply a product of personal preference. Then this same mindset complains when they see an otherwise normal citizen witness a rape, child kidnapping, theft or murder and prefer to “not get involved.” Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by me.” (John 14:6) He also says Christians are “a light unto the world, a city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel. They put it on a candle stick so that it gives light unto all that are in the house.” (Matthew 5:14-15) These strong statements of truth identify us with the Great Commission given to the disciples!

In today’s society, we cannot afford to be silent and without an opinion! There is too much at stake, and the question remains: Are you the light or the lampshade? Your friends, family and fellow humans have to deal with the claims of Christ, or they’re threatened with no relationship with their Creator forever.s If those claims are never presented, then there is a tragedy in the making. Paul reveals his value for communicating his message with cold honesty, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the gentiles.” (Acts 18:6b) Paul understood it was the responsibility of the hearer to decide the truth of his message, but it was clearly his responsibility to present it. He seems to have taken an Old Testament commission into his New Testament ministry philosophy. “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.” (Ezekiel 3:17-19)

Jesus gave His commission clearly in the closing words of Matthew with a resounding… “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Sometimes believers are confused about what the Great Commission means to them. We don’t know where to begin in an average conversation about faith. We’re not sure how to defend our faith, especially with the growing cultural disdain for Christians and frequent attacks on the values we represent. There is a great deal of fear associated with “witnessing” for Christ, and I think we have to face it with courage and boldness that can only come from the Holy Spirit.

Whether in casual conversation, deep discussion or open debate, we need to be willing to give the Holy Spirit a chance to be upon us and our words. To remain silent out of fear or general disregard is no longer acceptable. Compassion and care of this world is a driving force we share with God Himself, and He sent His Son and the power of the Holy Spirit to express it. Whether it is with those closest to you, strangers on a plane, visitors to your home or divine appointments during the course of a day, we have to decide how much of the Commission we share with Jesus… and how much Jesus we share with others. It may be time for us to hang up the bushel, to take the lampshade off, and go about the business of being the light of the world.

PUTTING IT INTO ACTION:

1.  Read- Truth taken in is the only way truth can come out.

2.  Blog- There are many Christian websites where open discussion can sharpen your thinking without the fears associated with face-to-face encounters. We’ll call it “training” for the faint of heart.

3.  Write out your testimony- You may never read it to anybody, but it will help you organize your thoughts into words and may even jog some descriptive memories. I don’t care if you think your story is boring. Do it!

4.  Take note of people God has been dealing with- No one comes unless they are drawn by the Father. You can recognize the Holy Spirit’s activity in someone’s life! This may take some discernment, but scripture does say, “Seek the better gifts.”

5.  Be available- Let God know you are up for the task and let Him use you. Be willing to let Him interrupt your daily schedule with an opportunity to reach out to someone… and then follow through with it.

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~ by Tom Stipe on February 28, 2010.