Before he ascended into Heaven, Jesus Christ gave us a command to share the gospel till the end of the earth. Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
So what is keeping us back from following this command from Jesus? Why are people in our neighborhood still unaware of who Jesus is? Why are we not sharing about Him with our colleagues at work or school?
Here are 6 challenges that believers in Christ face when it comes to sharing their faith:
1. What will people think of me?
Our number one challenge is social pressure especially with the way social media has escalated it to an entirely new level. If you just share your faith in Jesus with the wrong person there, you could land up in jeopardy with regards to your friendships, relationships, opportunities at the workplace, and more.
2. Not confident
It is a question of being prepared with the word when confronted by unbelievers. We must ask ourselves: are we thorough in the word of God?
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
We may not always be able to give them all the answers, but we must be able to give the word of God in such a way that they can understand it with an emphasis on salvation.
3. Judgmental
We don’t know what baggage people are carrying in their lives but we must be sensitive to their issues and not behave in a judgmental manner towards them. Rather than judge them, try and understand what they are going through, before rushing into a Jesus conversation.
John 4:35-36 “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.”
4. Right attitude
While approaching a neighbor, co-worker, or family member, put on the right attitude and look for an opening for a great Jesus conversation.
But if they label you as a homophobic, hateful, and even racist person, do your best not to lose your temper and keep the Christ-like attitude intact in you.
John 20:21 “Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so, I am sending you.”
5. Sounding weird
People no longer value honest, intellectual, and respectful debate but jump straight into personal attack mode. This is being seen all over the school and college campuses, workplaces, and even in neighborhoods.
Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
6. Lack of relationship
When we notice why our efforts to share the gospel with others are not happening as we plan, we come to know that it boils down to a lack of relationship.
We look for open doors when we want to share the gospel with people, but lack in forging friendships with them. We must see the importance of those people, and the baggage they are carrying.
Spend time talking with them and you will discover they have a sincere desire to know more about God and experience salvation.
Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”