Sharing Christ

Scripture: But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. (I Peter 3:15)

My church changed it's morning service (the first of two services we have) to a bilingual service (Spanish/English) in order to better serve our community, in Oxnard, California. It has caused me to consider how the Word of God never changes, but our delivery of the Message does, with the passage of time. There's all types of evangelism going on in the world today, from going door to door to developing sound relationships with others in order to open a door to sharing. Some join missions that travel abroad, joining the work force (a sort of Christian infiltration) in order to share the gospel - often in a covert manner in countries that forbid the spreading of Christianity. Methods have changed over the years, and Christians have learned to adapt to the passage of time, both on a macro scale as well as the micro level. On a macro level, some churches have brought in full on rock bands with electric guitars and drums, and loud singing in order to pull in a younger, more lively crowd. Other churches have developed a "youth only" service, led by a younger pastor who can relate to the needs of the same generation he or she is in. In order to get the Word of Christ out, churches have always had to adapt to the demographics of the area they are located, to the generation that most fills their sanctuaries, among other factors. On a micro level, we are all called to spread the Word of God individually to those unbelievers we befriend. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:18-20)

I will be the first to admit that I haven't shared Christ with anyone in a long while. Well, that's not entirely true. There's a friend I have who asks the hard questions, and I do my best to share Christ, but my friend approaches things on such an intellectual level, I'm at a loss as to how to defend my faith to him, because I have no answers to his questions. So ... AM I spreading the Gospel? Maybe, but it's discouraging to be out smarted. I'd like to be able to share with others, I just don't know how, without offending them or putting them on the defense. Too often I've run into people who have been hurt by well-meaning churches or Christian individuals who have shared a twisted theology of Christ - and instead of showing His love and kindness, they were fed only judgment and made to feel worthless, bruising both their spirit and emotional psyche, turning them off to anything having to do with God. So as churches conform to society's needs, (ie: going bilingual, bringing in lively bands or choirs, emboldening youth pastors or meeting in a garage in an impoverished part of town) how do we as individuals reach the world around us? I don't have the answer, but it is a question worth pondering, as we are all called to share the Gospel with others. Sometimes it's not with our words, but by our demeanor, our attitudes, by how we treat those around us. Maybe we should pray for the Lord to open doors for us, using whatever gifts we have to reach a fallen world.

Prayer: Lord, we ask You to reveal to us how we can reach others. Open doors for us to walk through, and when we hear Your voice, help us to obey, even if it is out of our comfort zone. Soften the hearts of unbelievers around us, and help us to show Your light to them, with gentleness and respect.

Prayer request: For our hearts to break with compassion for the unsaved, and for the courage to share Christ with others.