Now that you have established relationships with unbelievers, is that all there is? If it is, how will they now the gospel or how to follow the Lord or what the truth is? We must begin to speak. Some quote Saint Francis of Assisi in saying “preach the gospel, when necessary use words” (paraphrased). When they make this quote, people often use it as an excuse not to share the gospel. They’ll say things like, “just be nice to people,” “serve people,” “love people,” “do a good deed.” While all these actions are good, there must be more. Even Saint Francis said to use words; he just said when necessary. Even in this series I have taught that we must live up to the gospel that we are trying to convince others to live up to. However there is more to it than that. If you do not speak, you disobey God.
We are told throughout Scripture to speak. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). “We also believe, therefore also we speak” (2 Corinthians 4:13). “Brethren…because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear” (Philippians 1:14). “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16). “I solemnly charge you…preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:1-2). Preaching involves more than just being a nice person; we must actually say something. It doesn’t mean that we have to say something every time we meet an unbeliever, but at some point we have to say something about Christ and the gospel. When was the last time you said something about Christ or the gospel to an unbeliever? Have you ever done that? You may say that they’ll pick it up by the way I live or that you pray for them. Maybe you are just hoping that someone else will speak to them, maybe they’ll mistakenly listen to a preacher on TV or on the radio. All I have to say about that is listen to Paul’s question to you. “How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).
You may say that everyone in America has heard of Jesus, Christianity, and the Bible. For the most part this is probably true. However, are you certain they know how to follow the Lord? Are you certain that they understand the Bible? Are you certain that they know what true Christianity is? I for one am not. We must speak the gospel to others.
What is it that we should say though? First, after having established a connection with unbelievers, start nudging them towards church, truth, and Christ. Give some thought as to what benefit there is to being a part of a church. Some examples could be that you find support when you are struggling with life. You are surrounded by other Christians who can help you understand how to follow the Lord and encourage you to keep doing so. You get to find answers to your questions and challenges to your faith through sermons. You are blessed to find meaning in life by helping others follow the Lord through serving in various ministries. Obviously not every church is being what the church should be, but hopefully you are a part of one that is. Also, not every Christian is actively pursuing all these things in their church, but hopefully you are.
Once you have these things in mind, look for an opportunity to point it out. I remember once I heard someone say, “I just feel alone with my problems and wish I had people to talk to about them.” I told her that is one of the reasons I go to church because there are people there that support me and help me get through my problems. She said that she never thought of it that way before. I don’t know if she started going to church, we don’t have to expect people to fall on their knees and surrender to Christ every time we say anything regarding Christianity, but she saw a legitimate reason for the Church’s existence and perhaps a reason she should go to church. But Start looking for similar opportunities. Even start inviting people to come to church with you. Consistently nudge people in your life towards church.
Also, nudge them towards truth. Be a student of the Bible and whenever people state things that are untrue according to the Bible, then gently mention to them the biblical view. Do this for unbelievers as well as believers. Now don’t look to correct everyone, but when you are in a conversation steer it towards the truth. A coworker of mine once said to me, “you don’t think that sex is only right in marriage do you?” I could have let it slide and sneak out of that conversation, but I did not. I gently told her that that is the God’s standard according to the Bible. I also shared with her that God sets up boundaries like that to keep us from things that are harmful, which is why He made that boundary. I said that I try to obey God’s boundaries because I trust that He cares for and loves me. She was open to this idea. It starts with this gentle nudging though. We have to start pointing people towards the truth.
Plus we need to nudge them towards Christ. With people that you know, start to think about where they are in relation to Christ. Start to consider the next step they would need to make. It could be to just believe in God, be open to attending church, to start reading the Bible and praying, to accept the Bible as God’s Word, to believe in Christ and His work, to make a full commitment to Christ, etc. Begin to pray for them and seek opportunities to nudge them towards that next step.
Our step here is to start nudging, to start actually speaking about Christ to others. We need to nudge people towards church, truth, and Christ. Imagine if all the Christians in America started doing this. What would America begin to look like?
