WRITTEN BY DILLON

Today, we are going to discuss a subject that i personally feel is very important....Witnessing. Witnessing (Evangelism) is the act of telling people about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Witnessing is probably the single most difficult thing for a christian to do because it takes confidence and faith. Not too mention you have to be very sociable. There was a recent study conducted on how many Christians share there faith with people they do and do not know. Suprisingly, only 2% of all christians admit their faith to others. If you find it difficult to talk to others about Jesus, I don’t find fault with you (Not that its a good thing). I too find it difficult to approach others about the gospel. If you’re like many Christians, It’s not because your ashamed of Christ that you don’t talk to others about him, It’s because it seems as though there is never the right moment in which to bring about Jesus in an everyday conversation. I personally find it difficult to talk to others about my faith in Jesus because their is so many different types of sin in the world. (Idoltary, Adultery, Coveting, Lying, Homosexuality, Drunks, Profanist, Atheist, Many more) I’m not always sure what i’ll do if im caught in a situation were i’m not sure how too explain why something is wrong, or why trusting the savior is the only way too heaven. Being unsure is no excuse, but I understand that it is a setback. If you find it difficult to converse about your faith with others, keep reading, because I’m going to try and explain the easiest and most effective way too evangelize. Lets look at the reasons why people find it difficult to evangelize. As i said previously, modern day conversations do not usually bring about the right situation to talk about Christ, Therefor it becomes very hard to think of a way too present your faith without coming off too suddenly or too strong. Another reason for failing too witness properly is the nagging fear of rejection. Lets face it, everybody wants to be accepted. People don’t want to share their faith because their afraid that the person will not only reject their belief in God, but reject them aswell. Therefor instead of making themselfs slighty uncomfortable to address the issue of eternal salvation and Gods coming judge- ment, they’d rather stay in their comfort zone in order to avoid confrontation. Its an understandable fear, but it is also conquerable. Sometimes when people get into a heated dispute about the truth of Christ, many will get angry. But please understand that when someone gets angry, its because its a natural defense mechanism. The holy spirit is convicting them of their sin, and they don’t want to accept reality. So instead of facing the truth and turning from their ways, they argue. But almost 100% of the time, when they try to rationalize their sins and try to convince you that Christ isn’t real, their actually trying to convince theirselfs. Gods word has them open and vunerable, so they try to avoid facing reality because facing reality means a lifestyle change. For some people, a lifestyle change is a scary thought. Don’t let confrontation keep you from reaching the lost. Witnessing seems difficult, but it could save someone from everlasting torment. The lord said in Mark 16:15 “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every living creature”. what God did not say is to only preach to those who are easy to reach. God says in Matthew 28:19 “Go ye , and make disciples of all nations in my name”. To translate, This means to go anywere that the gospel is needed and teach others about the great commission of Jesus Christ. At very minimum, you should atleast tell your friends and relatives about Christ so they can at least decide for them selfs wether their ready to make the ultimate change. Now, what do you say when youre witnessing? Their are many things you could say, but some things are more effective then others. First you should ask the person your talking to what their religious background is so you know what your dealing with. Also because they will be more willing to open up about their belief. In turn it will be easier to talk about yours. If they are not already christians, ask them If they know what God did for them so that they do not have to go to hell. If they answer no, or answer incorrectly, That is the perfect oppurtunity to introduce to that person to Jesus Christ. Explain to them that God sent his only son Jesus Christ to suffer and die on the cross for their sins. Explain to them that he took their sin upon that cross when he was nailed. It is very important when evangelising to discuss the 10 Commandments. The bible does say that “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselfs, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8). While it is true that it is by trusting in Christ alone that will get you into heaven, You can’t trust in God while enjoying the pleasures of the world. If you thinks your living in Christ while reapin the worlds joys, your actually loving your sin, not Christ. Before you go through the commandments, make it clear that God’s standards are much different then people. To clarify, Isaiah 55:8-9 makes it very clear. “For my thoughts are not your thought, or are your ways may ways, says the lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." While people may consider them a “good” person, God views and definition for a good person are much different. The bible says in Romans 3:10 that not one person in the entire world is rightous, not a single person. So it is important to go through the ten commandments because it shows people their sin, and it also shows them their need for a savior. One of my all time verses in the bible is Romans 3:20 because their is no counterarguement, no excuses. It is what it is. It states “Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin”. This means that by knowing the law (ten commandments) no flesh (works of the world: fornication, theft, homosexuality, etc) will not be excused because you knew the law. When you go through the ten commandments, be very clear and make sure to define God’s standards so that they see that while they may view something as acceptable, it is in fact immoral and unrighteous in Gods eye’s. Once you gone through all ten commandment and they have confessed to their unrighteous deeds, ask them if they think they were innocent or guilty in God’s eyes and wether they think they would go to heaven or hell. I do realize that many of the people you witness to are not familiar with the style of wich the bible is written. After they recognize their sin, explain to them that Jesus died on the cross just to forgive them of their sins. Tell them that the only way to recieve that forgiveness is to repent, and put their complete trust in Jesus as their personal lord and savior. If they truely think they are innocent, and that they think they can get to heaven without Christ forgiveness. In some cases they think they don’t have to repent, they just have to ask for forgiveness. Tell them what I am about to relay to you. Say to them “Suppose you were a rapist and a murderer, and your were to stand before a judge. If you just ask the judge to forgive you, do you think he will just aquitte you of all charges? Of course not, why would he. You committed the crime, so you have to do your time. Or suppose that the person doesn’t believe in hell (If you don’t believe in hell, please read my Heaven/Hell bible study blog) ask them this ” If you were a murder and a rapist in court, and you don’t believe the judge is going to punish you. Does that in fact mean youre not going to be punished? Of course not. They really would have to be stubborn hearted if they can’t understand that analogy. You can’t be guilty and go unpunished. God is loving, but he is also holy and righteous and will punish the wicked on the day of judgement, wether they believe it or not. So let them know the importane and the urgency of sincere and ernest repentence. Tell them that the only way to be forgiven is to repent of their sins, turn away from them, and trust in Jesus Christ as their personal lord and savior. I hope I have clarified anything for you. And to sum it up, also let them know that their is no half hearted, partiality allowed in Gods kingdom. They either give their lives to Christ or don’t (2 Chronicles 19:7) Witnessing is very important, and we as true Christian trying to lead the lost to salvation need to reach out to the lost and tell them about Jesus. It’s not always easy, but it is necessary. But in the end, the absolute most effective way to witness, is to BE the witness. Anybody can point out scripture and try to convince you to believe. But if people don't see christ living through you it isn't going to matter. People need to be able to see Christ living in you. You need to be the light of Christ, shining for those who are lost and in need of his saving grace. So as you can clearly see, Some methods of witnessing are easier and more effective them others. I hope I have made it easier for you to want to go out and preachthe gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you very much for reading.

If you have any questions regaurding faith, Salvation, Jesus, anything at all. Please e-mail me anytime. I will answer any question i can to the best of my knowledge.

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