This is my favorite evangelism verse. I just don't believe that bible bashing wins people to Christ. I believe our lives speak volumes and when we can tell others, "THIS is where God has been active in my life" we can share concrete things that others want in their lives as well. But my favorite part of this verse is that we should give our reason for the hope that we have "with gentleness and respect." Telling people they will go to hell if they don't believe as you do is not gentle and it is not respectful. Here are a few ways to give our reasons for hope with gentleness and respect:
(This list is taken from a posting on "The God Article" FaceBook page)
- Practice grace
- Love justice
- Walk humbly
- Remember the least of these
- Reject rejection
- Embrace equality
- See with God's eyes
- Harbor humility
- Forget grudges
- Hate hatred
- Appreciate differences
- Be less offended and more forgiving
- Ditch the dogma
- Widen your comfort zone
- Be a peacemaker
- Walk in their shoes
- Live generously
- Give up the need to be right
- Listen more
If we approach people in this manner, with love in our hearts, others will see Christ in us and they will want what we have. No door-knocking, no crusade organizing, no coming up with the perfect opening line. Just be real. Just care. Just share.
Lord Jesus,
Help us to live our faith so that others will see it and want what we have. Amen.
Joys: Good books to read; Kevin enjoying his new job; sleeping late
No comments:
Post a Comment