Refer to STEP 11: I made a commitment to nurture my relationship with the Lord, asking Him to reveal His will to me and to provide me with the power to carry it out.
I always find it interesting when someone says, “Have you been witnessing for the Lord lately?” At thousands of evangelical churches across America, this question is asked repeatedly by well-meaning pastors and layman. Although they may hope it’s an encouragement for you to “speak out boldly,” it has the opposite effect. It’s intimidating, producing fear and guilt in the heart of the recipient.
And it’s the wrong question.
It implies that force-feeding your canned, three-minute infomercial down someone’s throat is the way to witness to people. “I was a rotten person. Then I invited Jesus into my heart, and now I’m nearly perfect.” This kind of witnessing is shallow, disingenuous, plastic, and probably turns more people off than it helps. But the biggest problem with it is this: It’s not witnessing; it’s a sales pitch. “Buy Jesus; it’s a great deal, and you don’t have to put anything down.” It’s like being an AMWAY salesman or worse—Arbonne.
Millions believe this is what witnessing is. Wouldn’t it be better to say to someone, “Because Christ has redeemed you and strengthened you in the inner man, everything you do reflects on Him. He loved sinful people and, if you do likewise, you’ll be a faithful witness to Him in everything you do.”
That’s witnessing that works—changed lives from the inside out. If you reflect the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, and godliness—everything you do will have a positive impact for the Kingdom. It’s walking the walk—not just talking the talk.
More tomorrow.
