Yet hallow the Lord Christ in your hearts, ever ready with a defense for everyone who is demanding from you an account concerning the expectation in you, but with meekness and fear.
Peter to the Dispersion 3: 15, Concordant New Testament
The question has popped up a few times recently of how it is that we should tell others about Jesus. After all, who better to speak Jesus to others than those who know Him? The first four books of the New Testament are the testament of the life and ministry of Christ written by those who knew Him well. So it will be with those who know Him. But how is it that we should speak of Jesus? Do we remind others with scriptures pulled from the bible? Do we share His words with them? Indeed, there are good arguments for both of these methods, but we're not into arguments. Traditionally, Christians have gotten a bad but well deserved reputation when it comes to speaking the gospel. Too many people see Christians as "Holier than thou" bible thumpers who are all too quick to criticize lifestyles they find do not fit into their religion. For their part, many Christian pastors fill their sermons with the dangers of bad behaviors and sin. So it is that those who listen to these very same sermons go out into the world to convert as many people to their way of thinking as they possibly can. I get it. It almost reminds me of a modern day crusade. You remember the crusades? That period in our history where Christians dressed in combat garb traveled to far off lands all in the name of converting unbelievers. I will be the first to say that this is NOT how we ought to tell others about Jesus. I do not want to give someone else the impression that Jesus is a Judgemental Savior whose main desire is to cast down those who refuse to believe. If I were in their position, that message would not sound to promising for me. Instead, we can learn from the pages of the life and ministry of Christ how it is that we should tell others about Jesus. Consider the woman caught in the sin of adultery brought unto Jesus by the local Pharisees{Johns Account 8: 3-11}. Was it the intent of Jesus to condemn her for her sin? Make no mistake, this is what the Pharisees were pressing Him to do. But not Jesus. Instead, Jesus offered her not condemnation, but forgiveness. I believe that Jesus did this not only for the benefit of the woman caught in sin, but for all those who were listening as well. There are many examples of how Jesus chose forgiveness over judgement. This is the key to telling others about Jesus.
For thus God loves the world, so that He gives His only - begotten Son, that everyone who is believing in Him should not be perishing, but may be having life eonian. For God does not dispatch His Son into the world that He should be judging the world, but that the world may be saved through Him.
Johns Account 3: 16-17, Concordant New Testament
There's an old saying that you can catch more bees with honey than with vinegar. You won't find that in any scripture, but it can help us when it comes to telling those around us about Jesus. Who wants to listen to some self righteous Christian telling them what they should and should not be doing? Are we not putting judgement upon others when we do that? Did not Jesus proclaim that we should not judge others?{Matthews Account 7:1-5}. If I tell someone about that plank in their eye, what plank am I overlooking in my own? How is my judging others helping them see the love and mercy of Jesus? In my spare time, I spend a good deal of time at the local gym. In the time I have been going there, I have developed a few good friendships with other regular attenders. These are the gym rats. Many of these know me for my belief in Christ not through my broadcasting it for all to hear, but through casual conversation. There have been a few who have approached me from time to time asking for prayer for some situation they are facing. I always assure them that I will do just that. My goal is not to present to them a Jesus who is critical and condemning, but the true Jesus who shares the love nature of the Father {First Epistle of John 4:8}. Through my conversations, I've learned that a few of my friends have been hurt by those in the church. I'm not that guy. When I speak of Jesus, I want to speak of who He is and not what the mainstream church religious system has made Him into. Consider this, Jesus came not to judge the world, but to save it {Johns Account 3:16-17}. This is the Jesus I speak to others.
Thus let shine your light in front of men, so that they may perceive your ideal acts and should glorify your Father who is in the heavens.
Matthews Account 5: 16, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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