God has built into the life of every believer the ability to share the gospel
Whenever someone talks about witnessing you might think: Me, do that? I don’t think so. But wait a minute; do not underestimate the God who lives inside you. He has built into the life of every believer the ability to share the gospel.
Consider this: “Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant–not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life” (2 Cor. 3:4-6, NIV)
Every man and woman who says, “I am a Christian,” has the raw potential that is the primary qualification to lead others to Jesus Christ. The first qualification to becoming an effective instrument in God’s hand is to already have what you want to give away. In this case it is Jesus Christ, who comes to dwell within you by His Spirit.
Remember what happened when you gave your life to Jesus Christ. You received something–actually, Somebody. His name is Jesus Christ, the co-Creator of the universe. The One we refer to when we quote “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4, KJV) or “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13, NKJV).
When we receive Christ we receive not only forgiveness for our sins and a new life (see 2 Cor. 5:17), we also receive a responsibility. “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18).
Again, God salvages our lives, and also gives us the responsibility of making the same reconciliation available to others. We not only have the Son of God within us to help us individually spread the gospel, but as believers we also have other Holy Spirit-produced dynamics at work in our lives that help us effectively bring the good news to others. Faith, love, hope and joy are all evidence of God’s Spirit alive in our lives.
When we receive Jesus Christ we receive the God who is love. First, “Love is not self-seeking” (1 Cor. 13:5, NIV). God’s love in our lives reminds us that it is not about us but about Him and others.
It is His love in us that makes us givers. “God so loved the world that He gave … ” What an example. We can and should give of our time, energy and resources, and just as God did, give what is closest and dearest to our hearts as well.
Faith plays an integral role too. You and I had faith enough to entrust Jesus with our lives, past, present and future. We had enough faith to believe He forgave us of our sins when we asked Him to. So if we ask God to use us, He will. God is so great He can use what you can and even what you cannot do.
We are to be carriers of hope. “Christ in [us], the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). And there has never been a greater stage for the dawning of hope in a person’s life than today. If you want to light a candle of hope in people’s hearts, let them know that with God all things are possible.
The writer of Psalms gives us some great insight when he wrote: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways and sinners shall be converted to You” (Ps. 51:11-13). Simply put, the joy of the Lord can help win souls.
When we are enthused about our walk with God and our faces show it, then others are more likely to be interested about what is in our lives. Our facial expressions are always a testimony–either for or against Christ.
If we constantly look sour, no one will want what we have. But if we smile–even once or twice a day–people might just believe we are in love with Jesus because our countenance reflects it.
In view of the ripe harvest and few laborers, it is right to believe that God desires to use us all. If you believe Jesus can save anybody, then let’s take faith even further, believing that everyone reading this particular column will be used by Him to reach others, someway, somewhere, somehow.
Let God use you as never before. As a believer, you have what it takes!
Scott Hinkle is founder of Scott Hinkle Outreach Ministries in Phoenix. A veteran evangelist, he regularly leads street ministry teams during Mardi Gras and other major events. He also sponsors evangelism-training conferences. To learn more about his ministry, visit his Web site at www.scotthinkle.org.
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