Devotions about Witnessing | from Devotional Christian

The Most Effective Witness

May 14, 2011

Filed In Daily Devotionals, Devotions For Teens, Family Devotions, Inspirational Bible Verses

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44 (KJV)

How do you share the message of Christ with someone who has a closed mind because of preconceived notions? Stereotypical images of the Christian such as hypocritical, intolerant, narrow-minded, fanatical, and judgmental often shut out dialogue. Consequently the message of the cross is rejected or pushed aside. Words won’t convince them, but actions will.

Jesus demonstrated God’s love by loving the unlovely. These people were the demon possessed, the lepers, and the outcasts of society. No one who had contact with them would be considered fit for worship. They were lonely, isolated, and rejected.

Jesus demonstrated God’s love by ministering to the hated. Remember the tax collector? His name was Matthew, and he became a disciple of Jesus. How about the Samaritan woman? She was mixed blood, a woman outcast because of her promiscuous ways. She too received the message of forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Then she went into her town and told the people about her encounter with Jesus.

Changing a mind about Christians means proving the stereotypical images are untrue. The only way to make someone “hear” is to show them the truth by how we live. It means living a life of integrity in a world that no longer understands the meaning of integrity.

*Show yourself to be truthful. Be purposed in your heart to refrain from lying, no matter the situation or the cost. Demonstrate honesty in your dealings.

*Show yourself to be pure. Be purposed in your heart to refrain from the profane, the crude and vulgar. Let your actions be directed by pure motives.

*Show yourself to be selfless. Consider the needs of others before your own. Don’t let your life be about self. Practice sacrificial love and service to others. Restrain yourself from excessive personal indulgence.

Jesus says to love your neighbor as yourself. How do you demonstrate love to someone who hates you? How do you tolerate your persecutors? How do you do good to someone who wants nothing to do with you?

It has been my experience that there are those who will never hear the message, but there are those who will. Until you try to demonstrate God’s love, you will never know which are which. Pray for God to show you how to do the impossible, the very thing that goes against our nature. Pray for God to provide opportunities to demonstrate His love.

While the teachings of the Bible may be ignored, there is one message that will be heard. Evangelize through your personal demonstration of God’s love to the unloved and by living a life of integrity.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Tags Devotional Christian, evangelize by demonstrating God's love, evangelize by living a life of integrity, evangelize through actions, how to witness to those who won't hear the message, Linda Hull, personal testimony, The Most Effective Witness, witnessing, witnessing without words
Comments: #0

Evangelism Tips from the Apostle Paul

November 9, 2009

Filed In Daily Devotionals

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.
Acts 17:1-4

Here we see the Apostle Paul had came to Thessalonica, and the Scriptures tell us that while he was there, as his custom was, he went to the people in the synagogue and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures.

What can we learn about evangelism from this passage?

First, we see that Paul went to where the people were. In this case, he went to the synagogue where they gathered for worship. Are we going to the people or do we expect the people to come to us?

Secondly, we see that Paul spent time with them. He was there for three Sabbaths, or three weeks. He did not approach evangelism with a “get in and get out” mentality.

Thirdly, we see that he reasoned with them from the Scriptures. Paul did not share his opinion or the prevailing philosophy of the day. He presented the Scriptures to them and Scripture was the basis of his dialogue and discussion with the people in Thessalonica.

Finally, we see that he was methodical in his approach. The verbs in verse 3 are interesting. In the NKJV they are “explaining” and “demonstrating”. What is the significance of each of these verbs? Was this more than a mere verbal recitation?” It gives us the distinct impression that this was more than a quick presentation of the Gospel, but rather was a patient approach, he took time in his presentation.

We see the end result in verse 4, some of them were persuaded. Are you involved in evangelism? If so, what is your approach? We can learn from the Apostle Paul that it is a process that takes time.

Tags evangelism, preaching, witnessing
Comments: #0

The Most Effective Witness

Evangelism Tips from the Apostle Paul

Subscribe

Recent Devotions

Navigation

Categories

Daily Devotionals

Recent Posts