Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)But in your hearts revere 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.
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)Push or Pull
When you start the conversation, you are pushing. When they ask you, they are pulling. Pushing creates resistance. Pulling creates openness. And the most effective evangelism in history has always been pull, not push.
Jesus did not say go tell people about your good deeds. He said let them see your good deeds. Let your life do the talking. Let your actions create the curiosity. Let your character open the door that your words will walk through.
Character First
People do not need to hear your theology before they see your character. They need to see your character before they will care about your theology. The order matters. Character first. Conversation second. Always.
Here is what a life that makes people ask looks like. It looks like the person who stays calm when everyone else is panicking. The person who forgives when everyone else is holding a grudge. The person who shows up when everyone else makes excuses. The person who is generous when everyone else is hoarding. The person who is honest when everyone else is spinning.
These are not dramatic acts. They are ordinary faithfulness. And ordinary faithfulness is the most powerful evangelism tool in existence. Because it is visible. It is consistent. And it is inexplicable without God.
When They Ask
When people see you living differently and they cannot explain why, they will eventually ask. Not because you handed them a tract. Because your life raised a question they cannot answer on their own. And when they ask, you do not need a script. You just need to be honest about what has changed you.
Peter says be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks. Not everyone who you approach. Everyone who asks. The asking comes first. Your preparation comes second. Your life creates the question. Your words provide the answer.
Let Your Life Do the Talking
This week, choose one area of your life where you can be more faithful. Maybe it is how you respond to stress. Maybe it is how you treat someone who cannot do anything for you. Maybe it is showing up when you would rather hide. Do it consistently. Let your life create the question.
- What is one way my life looks different because of my faith?
- Who in my life might be watching how I live?
- What would it look like to let my obedience do the evangelism this week?
- What is the difference between pushing and pulling in evangelism?
- Why does character come before conversation?
- Am I willing to let my life do the talking?
Think about the people in your life who do not know Jesus. Do they see anything different about you? Not in your words. In your life. In the way you handle stress. The way you treat people who cannot do anything for you. If the answer is not really, that is your starting point. Not a conversation. A change.
God, help me to live in such a way that people notice something different about me. Not so they will notice me, but so they will notice You. Give me the patience to let my life do the talking and the courage to tell my story when people ask. In Jesus Name, Amen.
You do not need to start the conversation. You need to live in a way that makes someone else want to. And when they ask, tell them your story. Your story is the most powerful tool you have.
Day 1. With honesty and hope,
Claire