Open doors of opportunity
If an unbeliever approaches us with some burden they are carrying, knowing that we are Christians and perhaps hoping we will have some word of encouragement for them, this could very well be an open door of opportunity that God is providing for us to share our faith in Christ.
Perhaps we can share with them how we take all of our burdens to the Lord in prayer, and that we rely upon Him to sustain us through the troubles that we face in this life.
We will have to use wisdom as to how much detail of our personal lives that we sharewith them. However, to communicate that we face life with the strength of the Lord and not withour own strength can plant a seed that God may use in bringing this person to faith, if indeed he is one of those who has been appointed to eternal life (Acts 13:48).
Once again let us recall Peter’s exhortation to each of us as believers: “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you.” While we should always be ready to share our faith, giving an answer to those who see the hope that we have, we should never worry about our presentation or about how awkward we may be in sharing with them. Our own eloquence, presentation skills, knowledge of the Scriptures, or persuasiveness has nothing at all to do with whether or not someone will be saved. If those with whom we are sharing our faith are numbered among God’s elect, they will be brought to faith in Christ in God’s time.
If we have shared our faith with them, then we have been given the privilege of being used by God to help bring the Gospel message to them, and we will have helped to fulfill the Great Commission.
Whether those with whom we share our faith ever come to believe in Christ or not, the sharing of our faith brings the outward call of the Gospel message to those who hear it.
The results, however, are entirely up to God. And His word, as it has gone out through us as we share our faith, will not return to Him void but will accomplish the purpose which He intends (Isaiah 55:10-11). In sharing our faith, not giving what is sacred to dogs or casting our pearls before swine as Jesus said in Matthew 7:6, but as God opens doors of opportunity, we are obedient to the great commission.
A lot of Christians deny their faith in the midst of strangers that the come across. Most people at their work places can not be said to be believers because they hide in the crowd rather than let their light shine in the midst of darkness.
You and I should resolve to making our lives a living epistle as Paul Apostle has admonished us.
This was great. Thanks for sharing.