Sharing Your Faith: Part 2

 

As Christians and recipients of God’s grace to salvation, our natural response is to desire to share the other people as Christ commanded the disciples and us (Matthew 28:20; Mark 16:16; 2 Timothy 2:21-25; 1 Peter 3:15).

However, as I have had the privilege to teach many young adults for many years none have been able clearly to explain to me the gospel message. Further, many are afraid to speak about Christ because of social isolation and not knowing what to say. How do we overcome this? Well, the first question is:  

 

What exactly is the gospel?

 

The gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ—His death and resurrection—for the salvation of God’s people. It means forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and sonship restored through faith in Christ. The gospel isn’t something we earn; it’s a gift from God that offers hope and eternal life.

 

The gospel message should contain generally the following information:

• Man sinned
• God is just, requiring a punishment for sin
• But out of love God sent His Son, Jesus Christ who by dying on the cross, provided forgiveness of sins in taking man’s deserved punishment
• Therefore, by faith alone in Christ’s sacrifice for our sins and belief in His resurrection, man can gain eternal life

(Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26; Romans 10:9; 1 Peter 1:21-23; Galatians 2:16)

 

You see, it is that easy!

 

What does a new believer need to do? Nothing. Remember the gospel message requires only belief. A person isn’t required to say a special prayer, go to church, or be water baptized; they simply believe! However, the new believer should be able to repeat the gospel back to you (Romans 10:10). If a person cannot articulate their new faith, then they probably have not understood it.

 

How to be a fearless gospel-sharing dynamo! Simple steps you can do:

 

We understand people fear sharing the gospel.

 

So how do we relate the Good News to others in today’s world? Fortunately, scripture does not tell us that we need to beat people with the gospel in a socially awkward and isolating way. Communicating the gospel can be done in an easy, acceptable manner that you can adapt to your lifestyle.

 

There are many ways to share the plan of salvation, but here is a simple process that might help you:

• Realize first we have a great message – Remember the Bible is true and good for anyone who hears it (please see our website for scientific proof). What the world has to offer as a replacement god, for example, humanism, statism, and atheism, is hateful, bigoted, anti-freedom, and very dark.
• Learn the gospel – It is short and easy (Please see ‘Become a Christian page‘).
• Prayerfully consider others – Most of us are so busy that unless we stop and specifically consider those around us we may easily miss wonderful opportunities to spread the gospel. Therefore, try thinking through the people you know and who might respond to the gospel. Many Christians say ‘well nobody!’ So then, consider how you can meet more people and know your acquaintances better (please see next point). Start by praying for them!
• Build a solid relationship – This is vital as people need to know that you genuinely like and respect them. There are many books on the subject and perhaps the best starter is the classic, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. You can buy a cheap used copy (or download a copy) at Amazon. It is frightfully easy to read and apply. Do it! In short, good relationships are built on, at least in part: listening, asking inquisitive questions about people’s passions, work, interests and family. This should be done in a genuine, affable manner with a smile, gratitude, empathy, appropriate specific compliments, and saying ‘I’m sorry’ as needed. A solid relationship may take some time to build, months to years. Be patient.
• Build a solid spiritual relationship – This can be done by simply asking them about benign religious topics, progressing through such questions as:
• Were you raised in the church and in what denomination? Did you like the church? Was it a good social environment?
• What do you think about religious-based political issues such as Christian persecution? Does religion or the church help our culture, etc.?
• Work towards issues pertaining to Christ, who is the major goal of the conversation, such as: what did their Church teach about Christ? What do they themselves believe about Christ? What is Christ’s role in salvation? Important note: You don’t have to respond to the above questions, it typically is better that you mostly just listen initially and gather information, again showing you respect for their opinions.
• Don’t be legalistic – Do not tell people the plan of salvation through guilt producing, inflexible messaging (e.g., ‘receive Christ or die in hell’). We have a great truth which we can tell others with joy in the midst of a positive relationship with the recipient.
• Identify a need – As you listen you should be able to perceive spiritual needs such as: are they are saved? Are they concerned about not going to heaven? Do they express reasons for guilt or unhappiness? Based on these issues you can develop a plan to assist them.
• Meet their need by saying the gospel – Based on your assessment of their spiritual needs, plan how to explain the gospel as a specific solution to their need. Make sure the explanation is simple and clear, and that they can respond with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Although you may be able to discuss the gospel directly, I generally find it is helpful to offer a Bible study for 4 weeks to study the claims of Christ in Ephesians 1:1-14. During this study they can discover the truth themselves, ask questions and you can share the Gospel as issues of salvation are raised in the text (please review plan of salvation at the bottom of the page so you know what to say). Salvation is neatly packaged also in Romans 3:10-26 or Ephesians 2:1-10.
• Don’t feel guilty if rejected – The epistles tell us to be obedient (just do it!) and does not mention guilt. We have the joy to tell others about salvation. It is the hearer’s responsibility to accept God’s message. Further, it is God Himself, not us by our efforts, who brings people to faith (John 6:44; John 16:8-11).
• Follow-up – What should you do after the new Christian acknowledges they believe? Good question! Since Christians are regenerated by the Holy Spirit at salvation (Titus 3:5; Romans 6:2-12) they are God’s “workmanship” or product (Ephesians 2:10), not yours! God causes them to grow and stand (Romans 14:4; 2 Timothy 1:12). It is not our responsibility! If a person truly believes they have become a new person and will eventually show others their new faith by their actions in obedient response to Jesus their Lord.

 

If they say yes and believe, then praise be to God. What a privilege to see God save and change a life!

Indeed, sharing the Gospel is a privilege we have as Christians. Our society needs to hear it! The only way we will change our culture is to change hearts, and that by the power of God’s Spirit.  

 

Even if this individual ultimately says ‘no’ to your efforts, the strong relationship you’ve built in the initial steps outlined above should overcome any social awkwardness. Through prayer and patience perhaps the opportunity to share again will occur.

 

As a physician, if I knew the truth about someone’s life-threatening medical condition and also knew how to cure it, would I withhold disclosing the diagnosis in case my patient found it offensive or didn’t believe me?  If so, I would be a terrible doctor! We have the truth, which we can help others. Our society needs the truth of the gospel!

 

As Christians, it is a fundamental responsibility to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. The Bible encourages believers to spread the message of salvation, forgiveness, and reconciliation through faith in Christ.

 

Thanks for joining me today and I look forward to seeing you at my next blog.

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

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Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.

 

 

Defeating sin – You can do it (with the Spirit’s help)

The Christian life is an exciting process of being obedient to God’s word, while using biblical tools to build a more God-like character. This process was outlined in the blogs just prior to this one (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7).

However, there are a number of additional issues in the Christian life that are quite important in scripture and to Christians. This blog deals with one of several of these important topics: dealing with sin.

 

Defeating Sin

 

How do we handle sin as a born-again believer? This is a big question and plagues each of us some time in our lives. The understanding of a proper answer, based in scripture, is so important to our mental health and relationship with God.

 

Recurrent sin - How then does a Christian conquer, in a biblical manner, the issue of sin, real or perceived? Not only is the sin itself a problem but it often produces guilt which might further reduce the quality of relationship with God. Here are some tips from scripture and what is not in scripture. The New Testament epistles indicate the following:

• Perceived sin – Make sure your sin is actually viewed by God as sin and you’re not responding to:
• A self-imposed expectation
• Social Christian expectations from family or friends
• Legalism derived from other believers

 

For example, watching a movie is not a biblical sin but you may feel guilty based on self-imposed restrictions, your reasons for watching the film (careful: might include sin), or the perceived expectations of your church or Christian colleagues. As 1 Timothy 4:4-5 states, everything we do and use in this world should be filtered through prayer and God’s word.

 

Remember if you do see the movie (or do anything), do so out of faith, because anything we do without faith itself is sin (Romans 14:23). Further, only see it if you do not make fellow Christians stumble (Romans 14:13-21).

 

·       Obey – This is the predominant response to sin for Christians in the epistles: simply obey (Romans 6:12-16; Romans 12:1-2). We are to be God’s worthy servant! Importantly, we love God and others by obeying Him (1 John 5:1-3).

 

·       Hate sin – God hates sin as it is contrary to His righteousness (Hebrews 1:9). Sin ultimately hurts us and potentially others. Part of maturity as a person of God is understanding the ill effects of sin and to hate it as God does (Proverbs 8:13).

 

·       Defeat sin – We are to destroy sin in our lives. We can do this for two amazing reasons:

 

• The Holy Spirit – God gave us His powerful Spirit to help us defeat sin (Romans 8:13).

 

• Regeneration – The Holy Spirit regenerated us (Titus 3:5) when we believed at salvation to a new person who is not bound by sin (Ephesians 2:1-3) but it’s free to serve God (Romans 6:2-16).

 

·       We are forgiven (Romans 3:23-26; Colossians 2:13) – We do not need to ask for forgiveness because Christ covers our sins by our faith in His sacrifice on the cross for us .

 

Some view 1 John 1:9 as saying we should ask for forgiveness; if so, it’s the only such passage in the epistles. In context, this passage presents a foundation for fellowship among believers through our salvation in Christ, before the author proceeds to discuss in Chapters 2 through 4 how a believer acts and believes. John assumes a concept of sin (1 John 3:4-10), and of not obeying the commandments (1 John 2:2-6), as a continual action that, if it defines a person’s life, they probably are an unbeliever. Therefore, John is not using the term ‘sin’ in 1 John 1:9 as a daily sin of a believer that must ask routinely for forgiveness. The verse relates to unbelievers who need forgiveness to salvation.

 

• Nonetheless, it is healthy to recognize our sin (Romans 8:13) before our holy Father and change our life (please see next point), but forgiveness is not in view.

 

·       Spiritual warfare – Remember our fight is against Satan and not merely against institutions and people in this world. Our tools to defeat Satan, beyond our salvation, are:

 

o   Be alert – Satan wishes to devour you (1 Peter 5:8).

 

o   Remember his methods – Keep from giving him a place and ability to snare you (Ephesians 4:27), caused by:

 

Ø  Not knowing biblical truth or being mature in Christ (Hebrews 5:14; 1 Timothy 3:7).

 

Ø  Incorrect emotions such as anger, lack of forgiveness or temptation! (Ephesians 4:27; 1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Corinthians 2:7).

 

o   Resist him – James 4:7; Ephesians 6:11

 

Ø  Put on the whole armor of God – This is vital and was discussed in the blog about the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-17).

 

o   Flee sin – 2 Timothy 2:22 tells us to run away from temptation.  We are not to surround ourselves with tempting situations to try to measure our spiritual strength.  God tells us to put on our running shoes and escape!

 

·       What not to do – There is no need to feel guilty, kick yourself, and act defeated. Instead get up on your feet and obey the word of God! Get over it and get busy allowing God to use your good service to Him.

 

Bonus section, the unpardonable sin 

 

This important passage is in Matthew 12:31-32. These verses are often misunderstood, and Christians apply them to themselves.

 

• Remember, you should interpret the gospels through Jewish eyes! In this passage Christ was addressing the Pharisees, who were Jewish leaders. They had the witness from the Holy Spirit, descending upon Christ at His baptism (Matthew 3), which was a testimony He was the promised king bringing salvation as prophesied in the Old Testament (Isaiah 59:20-21; 2 Samuel 7:12-16).

 

• The Pharisees rejected the testimony of the Holy Spirit and so rejected the message of the kingdom and the gospel. Of course, this was unpardonable (rejecting the gospel).

 

• For true believing Christians, we have not rejected the gospel but are saved and secure through faith in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. Accordingly. the passage does not apply to Christians.

 

These mental disciplines regarding handling of sin are critical to a healthy mindset. God has graciously given us a provision of unimpeded access to Him in prayer through our forgiveness in Christ. Join us again next time as we deal with the issue of guilt.

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

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Disclaimer - This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.