“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear”
and fear
“Fear” – respect or reverence. “Fear” means we respect people while witnessing to them. We recognize their significance as a person. They are a soul for whom Christ died.
Prov 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who wins souls is wise.”
The Bible sets forth many passages dealing with attitude in winning those without the Lord:
Prov. 14:25, “A true witness delivers souls,
But a deceitful witness speaks lies.”
Dan 12:3, “Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.”
Ro 9:1-3, “I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh.”
Ro 10:1, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.”
1 Co 9:22, “To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
1 Co 10:33, “Just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
2 Co 5:20, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”
PRINCIPLE:
The attitude of respect for people is a crucial aspect of the witnessing process.
APPLICATION:
If non-Christians do not accept your testimony, you still love them. Be patient in your testimony with others. Make your testimony a process. Learn how to condense your testimony. Learn how to compress it. Also, learn how to enlarge upon it.
It is not our business to win people to Christ. That is the Holy Spirit’s role. Our business is to share our personal experience with Christ. We cannot force people into the kingdom. Give your testimony with respect to the person with whom you share your spiritual journey.
We will make mistakes in sharing our faith. We are not perfect. God does not expect perfect people to share their faith.
We are the only born again person some people will ever know. We are the only conceivable person who will be able to reach them. We may be the best Christian that some people know. That is especially true with our family.
