Following are some thoughts of mine which I hope will be a help to my fellow Christians:
Yesterday's Sunday School lesson was titled "A Passion to Share the Gospel." As I mentioned to my fellow congregants, this causes me to ask myself if I really have a passion for sharing Christ. And if not, why? I think there are some easily identifiable reasons why my passion has historically been lacking, and maybe this is true for you.
First, it is easier and more comfortable not to engage others. I find this is especially true for an introvert such as myself. And while it is true that we can be witnesses for Christ in the way that we live (i.e. primarily via our actions), and for unbelievers to subsequently observe and detect our faith (or at least hopefully recognize that we are somehow different from the world at large), modeling Christian behavior cannot be a substitute for communicating. Jesus WAS the model, yet He consistently took time to invest relationally in others and to COMMUNICATE with them.
Second, I can often grow complacent if not just downright lazy. Because I have been saved and "have my portion," so to speak, I don't always have proper concern for the "lostness" of others or remember the urgency of the Gospel and that eternal heaven or hell for the unsaved lies in the balance. That's a selfish kind of salvation. What if, during our own "lostness," believers around us had been indifferent about our salvation to the point of not caring whether they shared or not, as long as they themselves were saved?
Third, I can have a fear of failure and rejection. If I do mention Jesus to others, what if they ask me hard questions I can't answer? What if they get angry or tell me off? Why would I want to risk the potential of conflict? Who needs those kinds of hassles? If you haven't learned this yet, you will: Rejection by the world is part of the Christian walk. It happened to our Savior, and it will certainly happen to His followers. Expect it, but don't let it hinder you; otherwise you will cower and never be able to forge ahead on behalf of the Kingdom.
Lastly, I may be afraid that, if I ask God for opportunities to be His witness, He may answer that prayer! He may actually call me to do something...to get out of my comfort zone, to put myself out there, to converse with a stranger, to lay aside self, and to risk rejection or ridicule. And He may even ask me to do something big like become a preacher or a missionary to some foreign land. (Just a note here before our minds get carried away: God certainly does call certain of his children to be evangelists, pastors, and missionaries, and perhaps that is exactly what He has in mind for you, but it's much more likely that He is calling you to be His witness in the ordinary comings and goings of life, in the simple and mundane, in the place where you already are, so don't let this hinder you from making yourself available to share God's Word.)
Beyond these potential hindrances to us having a passion for sharing the Gospel, I would like to relate the following ten thoughts that the Lord has placed upon my heart...practical things to keep in mind that will help us to fulfill the Great Commission:
1. If you lack passion but are sincere about wanting it, ask God for it. This is one of those prayers that you don't have to wonder if the request is in God's will. He has commissioned us to take the Good News to the uttermost parts of the world and is calling workers to the harvest. Also, if we are completely honest here, sharing the Gospel and being a witness for Christ also requires a certain amount of boldness. If you feel you are lacking in that regard, ask God for His boldness to replace your timidity. We are to be a light on a hill, not hide our lamp under a bushel!
2. If you feel like you lack opportunity to share and that you don't know anyone who is lost, consider expanding your relational circle. We tend to want to stick close to other believers...those who are like-minded. Ask God to bring others (or at least one person to begin with) into your life who is unsaved. He or she may be sin-sick and already seeking, or it could be someone who is completely oblivious to his or her lost condition and need for a Savior. Also ask God to connect you with someone who is not like you. Remember that Jesus communed and dined with those who were considered unsavory in society because He understood the depth of their need.
3. We are each uniquely created and gifted in such ways that one person may have more of an opportunity to reach a certain subset of people than another person does. Consider your interests and talents and how you can leverage those to engage unbelievers who may share those. Find common ground and build from there. Also, while we often think of talking to others as the main way of sharing the Gospel, there are other ways of communicating it. I recently read an account of an elderly woman, a shut-in who was unable to leave her home and be among people. Yet she had a desire to be a witness for the Lord and He impressed upon her heart the ability to write cards and letters to inmates. This led to her having a tremendous prison ministry. Be creative! Ask the Lord to show you what abilities and resources (including all of today's technologies and media) you have access to that could be utilized for witnessing to others.
4. Don't get hung up on how much you don't know. If we wait for perfect knowledge and understanding before sharing with others, we will never share. Even great men of God who have spent their lives studying the Bible don't have all the answers, and there are simply some things we will never know or fully grasp this side of eternity. Of course, we do want to continue to be students of the Word and to gain deeper understanding of the things of God so that we might eventually go deeper with others, but start with what you DO know.
5. As the opportunity and situation allows, simply share your testimony. That is, tell the story of what God has done for you. Most people prefer a good story to heavy religious discourse. I think that's why Jesus often spoke in parables - to establish common ground with others and to share great truths through stories that they could relate to.
6. Share what you know the Lord has done for you up until this point in time. You have a unique testimony that someone needs to hear. Your testimony will further unfold as you continue to walk with the Lord, and the ongoing story will have chapters that will be perfect for sharing with someone along life's way in God's perfect timing and just when it is needed most by someone. Don't worry that your testimony is not "dramatic" enough. While it may be true that some believers have very engaging stories of God saving them from tremendous strife or danger, even those who grew up in Christian homes and in church have a story to tell. Too much comparison of your testimony with those of others will lead you to diminish the importance of what God has done in your life and will inhibit you from sharing. Someone needs YOUR story!
7. Don't be overly concerned about being deeply theological. Most people will benefit more from plain speech in laymen's terms, and those who know very little about God are likely to get lost in too much "Christianese." Of course, do strive to have some basic theological understanding of God's truths so that you don't misinform or lead someone astray. You want to speak plainly, but you also want to speak accurately. Resistant hearers can also tend to want to debate deep philosophical and theological questions, but it's difficult for anyone to challenge your testimony or to say that God really didn't do for you what you say He did.
8. Don't feel that you have to speak with eloquence. God will give you the right words at the right time. If He is prompting you to share with someone and you are obedient to that prompting, He will supply exactly what you need. It's promised in His Word!
9. Don't try to assume the role of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we may feel pressured to prove our faith or to convince others of their need for the Gospel. Nothing will come of our witness unless the Spirit is working in the heart of the hearer. Be faithful to do your part in sharing what God has laid upon your heart, but then step back and allow the Spirit to do with it as He wishes.
10. Don't be dismayed if the person you witness to does not immediately make a decision for Christ. Sometimes we are only called to plant seeds; at other times to water the seeds planted by others; and then sometimes to actually be a part of the harvest. There's no shame in being a seed planter or waterer; in fact, rejoice that God has given you the opportunity to participate in any stage of the process. He is never disappointed when we fulfill the role that He has called us to, be it great or small. His intent in sending people across our paths may vary from person to person. Maybe He only intends for us to be pleasant and speak a kind or encouraging word to one person in passing, while another person needs to hear your full Christian testimony or to have a deeper and longer-term investment of friendship. Be open to His leading as each circumstance and encounter has unique purposes and possibilities and as your role may differ case by case.