It's time to define our terminology and make it clear what we are talking about. Is merely saying, "Thank God!" witnessing? Authentic witnessing is done in the power of the Holy Spirit and is a presentation of the gospel in whole or part, depending on where the person is spiritual. The basic message and facts are, according to 1 Cor. 15:1-3, the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. To "obey the gospel" is to repent and accept Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus said, "repent and believe the gospel."
We all try to make people "God-conscious" by mentioning such phrases as "Thank God!", "God-willing" or "Praise the Lord (Hallelujah), "God knows best!, "God bless you!" or "Amen." Saying grace can open doors as well as be a silent witness. These kinds of remarks make a person aware of our position and stand. We may say political opinions (one way to open a door), and be accused of being too conservative, for example. We may ultimately be accused of being "holier-than-thou," or a holy-roller. If we mention Jesus, or object to someone blaspheming His name (and this is a barrier to break when we go from God to Jesus), we may be accused of being a Jesus freak. Many people are offended by Jesus, but not by God, since they don't equate the two.
Remember, it is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin, not we ourselves. Don't try to make them feel guilty or that we are out to reform their lives like giving up cigarettes or beer. Jesus is out to give a new life not just a changed life. Transformed and exchanged life (a more abundant life) in Christ not turning over a new leaf or making a New Year's resolution. Paul said that he was not "ashamed of the gospel" because that is where the power is.
Giving our testimony is something that cannot be argued. "I was blind, but now I see! [said the blind man]." First, we tell about how we were before we meant Christ (I felt separated from God, my life was dominated by sin and pleasing myself, there was a void in my life nothing could fill); how we met Christ (I realized I was a sinner and repented and invited Christ to be my Lord and Savior--if I may add in passing, one must believe Christ to be the one and only Son of God and that He died for your sins and rose again as the facts); and what our life is like after we got saved (now I have peace with God and others and myself, I have purpose in living, and I have assurance I am going to heaven). We should all have our testimony ready because we never know when we will need it. "Having our feet shod with the gospel of peace."
We must be on the alert for opportunities or open doors (and only God can open a door-cf. Matt. 7:7 "knocking") to witness because God prepares hearts to be ready for His grace and love. The hardest thing to do is to break the ice and start a conversation. We can open by saying, "Are you absolutely, 100 percent sure that you would go to heaven if you died today?" Or, "Why should God let you into heaven?" For the timid, I suggest passing out tracts and saying something like, "Did you get one of these?" or "This is what helped me." Soli Deo Gloria!
We all try to make people "God-conscious" by mentioning such phrases as "Thank God!", "God-willing" or "Praise the Lord (Hallelujah), "God knows best!, "God bless you!" or "Amen." Saying grace can open doors as well as be a silent witness. These kinds of remarks make a person aware of our position and stand. We may say political opinions (one way to open a door), and be accused of being too conservative, for example. We may ultimately be accused of being "holier-than-thou," or a holy-roller. If we mention Jesus, or object to someone blaspheming His name (and this is a barrier to break when we go from God to Jesus), we may be accused of being a Jesus freak. Many people are offended by Jesus, but not by God, since they don't equate the two.
Remember, it is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin, not we ourselves. Don't try to make them feel guilty or that we are out to reform their lives like giving up cigarettes or beer. Jesus is out to give a new life not just a changed life. Transformed and exchanged life (a more abundant life) in Christ not turning over a new leaf or making a New Year's resolution. Paul said that he was not "ashamed of the gospel" because that is where the power is.
Giving our testimony is something that cannot be argued. "I was blind, but now I see! [said the blind man]." First, we tell about how we were before we meant Christ (I felt separated from God, my life was dominated by sin and pleasing myself, there was a void in my life nothing could fill); how we met Christ (I realized I was a sinner and repented and invited Christ to be my Lord and Savior--if I may add in passing, one must believe Christ to be the one and only Son of God and that He died for your sins and rose again as the facts); and what our life is like after we got saved (now I have peace with God and others and myself, I have purpose in living, and I have assurance I am going to heaven). We should all have our testimony ready because we never know when we will need it. "Having our feet shod with the gospel of peace."
We must be on the alert for opportunities or open doors (and only God can open a door-cf. Matt. 7:7 "knocking") to witness because God prepares hearts to be ready for His grace and love. The hardest thing to do is to break the ice and start a conversation. We can open by saying, "Are you absolutely, 100 percent sure that you would go to heaven if you died today?" Or, "Why should God let you into heaven?" For the timid, I suggest passing out tracts and saying something like, "Did you get one of these?" or "This is what helped me." Soli Deo Gloria!
Great post Karl.
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