Engaging in God’s Heart for the Nations: 30-Day Devotionalഉദാഹരണം

Try Out This Approach To Sharing the Gospel – Day 17

Duane Brown, Formerly With OMS Church Partners

1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV)

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”

“We teach our pastors never to argue with anyone when they share the Gospel.” The man who said this lives in the Middle East and is a key leader in a rapidly growing movement of house churches. As he shared reasons for the movement’s swift expansion, I was struck by his statement.

How clever and unforgettable. I have repeated that simple strategy countless times.

As we seek to reach family, friends, or even strangers, let’s aim not to argue, even as we desire to defend our faith against a multitude of hostile and questioning people.

“I’m not an evangelist. I can’t remember the last time I shared my faith,” you say. But consider the many times you exhibit Christ by your deeds: you hold the door for a stranger and tell them God loves them; you bite your tongue even though a driver cuts you off in traffic; you bring a meal to a recently hospitalized neighbor and tell them you’re serving in Jesus’ name. By sharing Christ in these ways, you maintain a clear conscience and leave a wide-open door for more opportunities to share the love of Jesus with others.