Why is it necessary to share your Christian Faith?

The primary reason you want to share your faith is because...

The Lord is at work in your heart giving you the desire to lovingly help others come to experience what you have in Jesus Christ. He wants to see others come to experience the benefits of a personal relationship with Him. And because of His love, He wants to save others from the unnecessary hardships apart from that relationship both now and forever. 

 The Significance of Motivation... [Don't take His motivation lightly]

Chances are you are here for your own personal use or to help train others. In either case, MOTIVATION IS KEY. ONCE WE KNOW WHY WE SHOULD EVANGELIZE, WE'LL FIND A WAY TO DO IT!!!   Without clear and compelling reasons to share our faith, like a glove without a hand, it will become lifeless. (You may already know all that is discussed below, if so, use it to motivate others.)

Christians are called (commanded) to be "ambassadors" for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). We are to be His representatives in both actions and words. Every person has the right to hear of and experience the love, acceptance and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus, He promises to help us assist others to know Him too. "Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (Matthew 4:19 NLT) An "evangel' is someone who brings "good news". As a Christian, you have the greatest news to share with others!

KEY MOTIVATION BOOSTERS
A rich understanding of WHY it matters to be Christian will motivate and mobilize us to 'figure out' how to help others begin a faith relationship with Christ. 

    
YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO EXPERIENCE... 
GOD'S LOVE, ACCEPTANCE AND FORGIVENESS!

BENEFITS for TODAY:
What difference does being a Christian make in everyday life... life today... life now?
There are many benefits for 'being' a Christian. What comes to your mind? How has God made a difference in your life? Here are a few typical reasons others have given: 

• joy in knowing God and realizing and experiencing His love
• living in trust instead of fear
• having purpose and meaning in life
• improved relationships
• help in raising kids
• life that is a lot better... a new start
• forgiveness instead guilt and shame
• healing of relationships or a physical healing
• guidance and direction in life's decisions 
• the benefits of the "fruit of Spirit", love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23)
• friends and relationships at church
• etc., etc. 

YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS...TO SPEND ETERNITY WITH YOU IN HEAVEN!

ETERNAL BENEFITS:
 What difference does being a Christian make in the life hereafter... life forever?
[Although its not a popular subject, it is important that it touch your heart.]
 Traditional teaching stresses that it is an individual's choice to be a Christian or not. (John 6:47 et al.) That choice decides where that individual will spend eternity... with Christ in heaven or without Christ in hell. Although "hell" is not often a topic of preaching or teaching in churches or seminaries, believing in its reality makes evangelism of utmost importance.

A short study comparing "eternity without God" vs. "eternity with God" is helpful. In Luke 16, we'll focus on the man experiencing "eternity without God". Then we will compare that with "eternity with God" from Rev. 21:3-4.

(Note: the story Jesus tells in Luke 16 is intended to motivate Christ-like living, i.e. not wasting opportunities in the present. However, it certainly implies there are 2 different eternal destinies.)

Eternity "without" God (Luke 16:19-31) there is physical suffering (v.24) Can you imagine living forever in physical "agony"?  there is emotional suffering (v. 24) Fully aware of the "tormenting" circumstances, there are audible cries for mercy that are never satisfied. Living forever regretting the failures of the past.  there is the ability to see the other side... eternity with God (v.23) there is the desire to cross over to the other side but the "great chasm is fixed" (v.26) finally there is a plea for evangelism... to go and warn others "so they won't have to come to this place of torment". If we could hear the voices of those who have died without Christ, would we hear them pleading with us to 'warn others' and point them to the grace offered in Jesus? (Note: although this is referring to Hades, Rev. 20:14, 15 clearly points to Hades being thrown into the "lake of fire".)

Eternity "with" God (Rev. 21:3-4) God is present (v. 3) no tears or sorrow (v.4)  no mourning no crying no pain  no more "death" everything is "new" (fresh and fulfilling)                      Thank you Jesus!

And in His love for you and me, Jesus came and took upon Himself all of our sin while on the cross. Then He went into the "place of torment" in our place! But He rose again so we wouldn't have to go there. And He is alive today to help us live life to its fullest in relationship with Him. Isn't it humbling to think of what we have been saved from? And what we have been saved to? That's GRACE... God's Riches At Christ's Expense!

Now remember, focusing on eternity without God isn't intended to scare people out of hell and into heaven. There is the danger of fostering a wrong attitude. Where Christians approach those without Christ arrogantly, with a condemning "better-than-thou, turn or burn" attitude. That's not right... we need to be gracious, speaking truth in love. 

NO. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL HELP MOTIVATE CHRISTIANS TO VOICE THEIR FAITH OUT OF LOVE. TO SHOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO GOD THAT WE SERVE AS HIS "AMBASSADORS" TO HELP THEM MEET JESUS AND DISCOVER GOD'S LOVE!!! Caring enough to cooperate with God in His saving process. 
A lifestyle of prayer, following the Holy Spirit's leading and focusing on the difference being a Christian makes in life today AND life forever will be a compelling empowerment from God, to share our faith.
  
REMEMBER - CONVERSION IS A PROCESS 
Most people do not respond to the Gospel the first time they hear it. As Christians, we are all part of the process. Some plant seeds of faith. Others water and encourage a response towards Christ. But in the end, it is God who converts the soul to follow Him. So let's join together in God's orchestration to help others discover His love, acceptance and forgiveness in Christ.

SHARING YOUR FAITH IS STRONGLY INFLUENCED BY A GROWING FAITHPray about the eternal consequences of life apart from God. Pray about the difference a relationship with Christ makes in everyday living. Think and pray for other people. Pray about finding peers who will encourage each other to learn how to share their faith. And prayerfully be intentional to sensitively follow the Holy Spirits leading and talk about what you believe to help others come into relationship with Christ. Philemon 6 says, I pray that you be active in sharing your faith so that you will have a full understanding of all we have in Christ. 

DO WHAT GOD WOULD HAVE YOU DO
What would God have you do to "TAKE THE NEXT STEP"? Just do that. God will bless you!  
Browse around this site for awhile to see what God might show you.
MOTIVATION IS KEY. Changed lives is what is at stake. And it will change your life too! 

Christian Witnessing - What is Spiritual "Boldness"

Christian Witnessing - What is Spiritual "Boldness" 

The "bold" Christian witnessing we see in the early church supernatural was Spirit-empowered evangelism where devoted followers of Christ could not stop speaking of what they had seen and heard. (Acts 4:20) They were bold like Jesus. Respectfully open and direct even in the presence of opposing viewpoints. The witness and evangelism of early Christians was not loud, pushy and annoyingly "in-your-face" as many people might imagine. So what does it mean to be "bold" for Jesus?

Several hallmarks of true Biblical Christian witnessing "boldness" are:
1) Spirit lead,
2) speaking from a convinced viewpoint,
3) courageously genuine,
4) a persuasion that says, "I need to speak",
5) honest and straightforward,
6) shameless, and
7) fearless.

Its openly declaring your faith and trusting God to use it. It's faithful obedient messengers who realize that God is in charge. Effectively fearless of what others might think, say, or how they will respond. Not some "soft-sell" evangelism aimed at avoiding any and all controversy. But it's not intentionally trying to upset others yet, not intimidated by how others might react as you declare your faith. Pray asking God to give you His courage to boldly share your faith by the power of the Holy Spirit.                        

Spiritual Boldness... with an Authentic Message 

Our Christian witness and evangelism needs to flow  from a genuine difference Jesus has made in our own lives and other Christians. Compassion to want others to experience God's love, acceptance, forgiveness and purpose too. This must be our motivation to share our faith with Christlike boldness.

Salvation, now and for eternity, is found in Jesus. There is no other name given to mankind by which we are saved. (Acts 4:12) Biblical Christian witnessing and evangelism graciously and unapologetically holds to the unique and distinct claim of Jesus Christ to be the one and only Savior. He changes lives, now and forever. Authentic Christian witnessing and evangelism is respectful of the opinions of others but not tolerant or compromising of mistruthful claims of any other way of salvation. Compromise of this baseline Christian truth remains eternally powerless. Pray asking God for an uncompromising faith in salvation in Christ alone.

Spiritual Boldness... by Genuine Messengers

People can tell if you genuinely care about them. Jesus genuinely cared about about people. It was said that you could tell the early disciples had been with Jesus. They were kind in minstering to others. But amazingly noticeable was how they "reflected" His boldness.

Even in the face of opposition they were compelled to speak openly and honestly. That was a key difference the Holy Spirit made in their lives. When they could have easily bit their tongue and remain silent, they stood their ground and compassionately spoke the truth. Any credit for helping, healing or change in people's lives was attributed "in the name (power) of Jesus". (Acts 4:10) Pray asking God for His compassionate love to see everyone come into a personal relationship with Christ.  
 

Spiritual Boldness... Faithfully Presses On

Bold Christian witnessing and evangelism will be challenged. The early disciples were commanded to speak no more. Peter and John said that God wanted them to speak even when others wanted them NOT to speak. (Acts 4:20) The Lord is in charge. We need to say it, not with cleverness but just as we are. Let God empower your words and acts of kindness. The John 3:16 Good News... made simple! evangelism training will help you organize your thoughts around this very familar verse. Trust God to use you as you share your faith. Rest in the power of God. Remember, it is faith in God that pleases Him.

God will bless your personal witnessing and evangelism. The early disciples were just talking to common folks in Acts 4. Friends, people they new from their occupations, relatives and curious bystanders. They were simply speaking to what they had "seen and heard". They were testifying that salvation is found in Jesus. God empowered and blessed their personal witness and many lives were changed as people found salvation in relationship with Jesus... for the "now and forever" of their lives.

God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, can take fearful Christians who are willing to follow Him... and make them bold messengers for Christ! Pray, commit yourself to God to be transformed into a bold messenger for Christ.