The moment every believer waits for. If we screw up, we could blow it for all eternity… for the other person. That’s right. I’m talking about the pressure many endure. I'm talking about sharing your faith. Let me give you a scenario that plays through the mind of many Christians who have ever contemplated sharing their faith with others:
First, it begins with learning someone is not a follower of Jesus. When in their presence, it’s like walking on eggshells to be the best clean-joking Christian they’ve ever met. It is not expedient to share with them just yet because we are building the relationship, even if they aren’t that enjoyable to be around. It becomes exhausting and drains the life out of you. Then, the opportunity knocks. It’s time to rise to the occasion and fulfill our call to duty. But instead of simply sharing, the conversation turns to convincing, most likely with hours upon hours of discussion, debate, disagreement, and busting out the greatest apologetic hits. Flex your knowledge, admire the size of your brain, and stand in awe of the knowledge you retained from your preacher. After a heated debate about sin, Pygmies, and smoking, a cell phone call interrupts and time has been spent.
If you’re “successful” then you made it through without losing a friend or burning a bridge. If you’re really good, then you spoke the entire time with their full attention, ending with you leading them in a prayer to receive Christ. Worst case scenario, you may have destroyed any possibility of future (awkward) discussion but feel like a real soldier for Christ because you “planted seeds.” In all of the talking, topics like the power of the Holy Spirit, signs, wonders, healing and miracles do not make their debut for fear it may "weird them out" to hear about the supernatural power of God. Perfect love casts out all fear. If we do this out of religious obligation and not because of love we're missing the mark. Love is fearless.
When we anticipate an event like this, we think about every possible turn it could take, and imagine every ill-occurrence that is possible.
Let me give you another scenario. This one is true.
At a former summer job on campus, I became friends with one of my coworkers. We shared common ground with music, had similar taste in bands, and recorded a few songs. We always had fun, laughed a lot, and jammed when the opportunity presented itself. Keywords: friends and fun. Often, we try to force ourselves into situations with people who we can’t stand to be around. This was not the case.
One night, we were hanging out with some other coworkers. It was the weekend and I was the only sober person in the group. The topic of God was brought up (That tends to happen when people drink). I didn’t bring up God. They did. In their denial, I simply claimed that I had seen the supernatural power of Jesus heal the sick and I had witnessed His Spirit perform signs, wonders, and miracles because of His love and the finished work of the cross. The night ended, the friendship continued and we finished our summer with eight coworkers receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. My friend, however, was not counted among them. No hard feelings. No dispute. No hours of long discussion.
Towards the end of the Spring semester, I received a call from my friend. He wanted to grab lunch. I met him in the Student Union. He began by apologizing to me. He continued to explain that he gave up drinking for Lent (Coming from someone who never gave up anything for Lent, it was funny how unbelievers can still be religious). In his forty days of sobriety, he began to like himself more and more. He began reading the Bible and began praying. He received salvation in Jesus and the Holy Ghost took up residence in him!
Now, my friend knows Jesus. Without a heated debate, a long discussion, and without bringing out the big guns of apologetics. I didn’t even pray with him to receive Christ. The goodness of God draws men to repentance. I am not the Holy Spirit. I only stood by Jesus because He has shown me His power. This is why testimonies are important. The lines are being drawn. The real Jesus is being revealed through the power of His Spirit working through His bride while the masquerade of religion, its performance, and grueling boredom is being exposed.
I don’t have to convince people that I’m right or that they’re wrong. That is the beauty of sharing the Gospel. When the Gospel is truly preached, signs and wonders follow. Jesus confirms His Word with signs following (Mark 16:15-20). It’s only in through the power of the Spirit, through signs and wonders that we as believers can fully proclaim the Gospel (Romans 15:18-19). The Gospel is the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power (I Corinthians 4:20). Talk is cheap. Power was purchased at the cross and its reward is awaiting all who will receive.
Be encouraged and love a friend to Jesus.
Jonathan Fawcett