Sharing Your Faith is Not an Option -By Brother Chuck

By Brother Chuck

Here's a guaranteed fact for you. Do you like guarantees? Here's a guaranteed fact that's etched in stone. If your loved one, friend, or co-worker dies in their sins without knowing Jesus, he or she will spend all of eternity in hell. Eternity is an awfully long time. It's forever man! There are no do-overs. No second chances. It's a done deal. You didn't tell them. And now they're in hell. The end! That is a guaranteed fact my friend! They will be forever separated from God. Oh, don't blame yourself. They knew the consequences of their disobedience. But suppose you had the influence to change that outcome? Would you? Because if you're a Christian, that's the kind of influence you have.

The Reverend Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was an American revivalist preacher, philosopher, and Congregationalist Protestant and theologian during the Great Awakening. Listen to how he describes those who die without knowing Jesus when he delivered his sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God".

"The wrath of God burns against them, their damnation does not slumber; the pit is prepared, the fire is made ready, the furnace is now hot, ready to receive them; the flames do now rage and glow. The glittering sword is whet, and held over them, and the pit hath opened its mouth under them."

- Rev. Jonathan Edwards

How would you feel if someone you loved, like your unbelieving husband or wife, close friend or neighbor died without knowing Jesus - died without even hearing about Jesus? How would you feel? You had the opportunity to share your faith with them, but you didn't. Oh you meant too. You were always going to get around to it. You had good intentions. But the truth is you didn't, maybe because you didn't know what to say. Or maybe you didn't because you were too embarrassed. Maybe you think that's the preacher's job. There's probably a million reasons (excuses) why you didn't share your faith with them. You should've warned them of the consequences of dying a sinner. And now? Well... now, the consequences are they will spend eternity in hell.

Suppose in eternity, your loved one or friend could ask you, "Why didn't you tell me? You knew about hell but you didn't bother to warn me? You knew Jesus loved me enough to give His life as a ransom for me and you didn't share that information with me? Why? I didn't even know that you were a Christian. And now you're in heaven? And I'm in hell."

"Can the believing husband in Heaven be happy with his unbelieving wife in Hell? Can the believing father in Heaven be happy with his unbelieving children in Hell? Can the loving wife in Heaven be happy with her unbelieving husband in Hell? I tell."

- Rev. Jonathan Edwards

If you read my previous article, "Be Good for Goodness Sake", then you understand why Jesus told the Pharisees that the law, and the prophets hang on the two most important commandments ever given. "Love God. - Love your neighbor" (Matthew 22:34-40 NLT). Loving God means keeping His commandments (John 14:15), including the commands of sharing your faith. Sharing your faith means "Loving your neighbor to heaven." Consider what the Psalmist David said when he brought the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem: "Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does." (Psalm 96:2-4 NLT)

We are compelled by God to share our faith just as the Apostle Paul was compelled when he said: "Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn't preach the Good News!" (1 Corinthians 9:16 NLT)

Sharing our faith is simply not an option. It was commanded by Jesus, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." (Mark 16:15 NLT) Paul said, "I thank my God... that the sharing of your faith may become effective..." (Philemon 1:4-6) So you can see that the most important commandment ever given, to love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, leads directly to the second most important commandment, to love your neighbor as yourself, or to love your neighbor to heaven.

"Our faith becomes stronger as we express it; a growing faith is a sharing faith." - Billy Graham

Yes, sharing your faith is commanded in Scripture, but understand this, it's not a chore. It's such a wonderful privilege that we have as Christians to share our faith with others. As a Christian, Jesus has personally called you to share your faith. It's not enough to smile and be nice to your neighbor, you must share your faith with your neighbor. And your neighbor is everybody you come into contact with. Believe me, it's not that hard to do. Just tell them about your first moment with God. Tell them your story of how you got saved. Tell them about your victories. The Holy Spirit will come alongside of you and help you. It's what He does. He will bring Scripture to your remembrance. He also convicts the sinner. You just need to be willing and obedient. Every Christian has a story to tell - it's important to tell that story! So tell it! It's what you were created to do. God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. We're all called to be witnesses.

"God forbid that I should travel with anybody a quarter of an hour without speaking of Christ to them." - George Whitefield

Here's Some Things to Remember When Sharing Your Faith

Realize that your own life is a great part of your witness. So live a Godly life. Let your life be a sermon. Non-Christians often look at Christians as hypocritical because we say one thing but do another. So don't do the other. Live a Godly life!

Listen as you talk. Your neighbor might have something to say. Jesus was a friend of sinners. He's our example-to be a friend, to listen, to see where they are, and then take them where they need to go.

Understand that people are looking for a cure. They don't want to be lonely, or suffer from broken relationships. They want a cure for their stress and for what overwhelms them. You have that cure! It's Jesus! He died for their sins just as He died for yours.

The Gospel message is simple. Keep it that way. Jesus died for our sins. He was buried. He rose again. We need to turn away from the wrongs in our life and accept what Jesus did on the cross. Don't make this complicated for them by using theological terms. It's a simple message. Keep it that way. Explain the Gospel so they can understand it.

Stress the love of God. John 3:16 (NIV) says: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Let them know that God loves them like crazy. It's all about love!

THE ROMAN ROAD TO SALVATION

Share the Gospel Message Anytime, Anywhere, With Anyone

Romans 3:23 (NIV) - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23 (NIV) - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8 (NIV) - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:13 (NIV) - Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) - If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

A 4 Minute Crash Course in Sharing Your Faith

Video Source: Dare 2 Share Ministries

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