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Typically, a person wants to tell everyone about a gift he or she received. Yet many people treat salvation like it's some kind of secret. They know what a wonderful thing they have but they're reluctant to tell others.
a. Sharing is called many things
The Bible calls sharing your faith
- witnessing
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
- preaching the Good News
Mark 16:15
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
- telling your friends what the Lord has done for you
Mark 5:19
Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."
- letting your light shine
Matthew 5:15
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
- showing others the goodness of God
1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
- and planting seeds My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who
made it grow.
1 Corinthians 3:6
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.
b. God's part of sharing
God doesn't expect us to convince, convict, or convert others . We couldn't even if we tried. Only God can do these things.
- The love of God through Christ convinces us.
Romans 8:38
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
- The work of God through the Holy Spirit convicts us
John 16:8
When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:
- The grace of God through our faith converts us
1 Corinthians 3:7
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
c. Your part of sharing
Sharing your faith should be the most natural thing in the world, because it's nothing more than telling someone else the story of what God has done for you. When you talk about Jesus with one other person, or tell people about Jesus in a letter or email, or give them a book about Jesus you are sharing your faith.
d. Don't worry
Many people are reluctant to share their faith because they worry about what other people will say or do. They think they may be ridiculed, or might offend someone. Don't worry about it. Sharing your faith isn't about the other person saying yes, no, or maybe. It's about God and His incredible gift to you. All He wants you to do is share the gift. He promises to do the rest.
e. Your ultimate purpose
You exist in order to glorify God. When you talk to others about God, you glorify Him - whether they respond or not. For everything comes from Him; everything exists by His power and is intended for His glory
Romans 11:36
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
f. God's ultimate plan
God is the holy, dynamic, personal, loving Creator of the universe. He made you to glorify Him and to enjoy Him, but He can't relate to us as long as our life is characterized by sin. So He made a way for us to come back to Him through Jesus. This is His ultimate plan: His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave Him great pleasure.
Ephesians 1:5
he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--
This is what God wants you to share with others.
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