sharing the gospel // some things I have learned

When I began to follow Christ over ten years ago, I did some things that, in some ways, I regret.  I do not regret speaking the truth or being passionate about God's word.  But there did come a day when I began to realize that love was not being communicated like it should be.  It was more of "I'm right, and you're wrong." It turned into a battle between me and the other person, when I should have lovingly helped them to see that it was God they were against.  When they stand before God to be judged it will not matter how much I have been offended.

I realized that it's not about me and how right I am about the truth.  My passion is to point people to Christ so that they can be reconciled to God.  I do not want to engage in arguments with them or force them to talk about things that they do not want to talk about.  When this becomes abundantly clear, I have learned when to stop, to be patient, and to wait on God to work.  It took me some time and understanding to learn this.

I will stand for truth and I will speak it, even in awkward and difficult situations.  I will unashamedly proclaim that Jesus is the only way, truth and life.  But by God's grace, I hope that the person will see my love for them.  And most of all God's love for them.  Because that is what the gospel is all about.  God's pure and amazing love poured out on sinners who don't deserve it.  "...among whom I am the foremost."

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord,

because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,

though formerly I was 

a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.  

But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, 

and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me  with 

the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.  

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, 

that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

 But I received mercy for 

this reason, that in me, as the foremost, 

Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience 

as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory

forever and ever.  Amen.  1 Timothy 1:12-17

Are you compelling others to see their need for Christ, or are you trying to get them to agree with your standards?


Are you setting a tone of love and compassion so that, if someone were searching, they would come to you for help?  Or might you be the last person they would be "humble" around?


In a nutshell, don't turn sharing the gospel into an "us against them" thing.  Make it an "us for them" thing.  You know, come to think of it, that's how it was shared with me...