To listen to Nancy audio recording on Moody radio click here!

 


This question begs some questions in response. For God to use us to share the gospel we need to be praying regularly for our friends that through the work of the Holy Spirit they would be receptive to the truth about Jesus. When we pray and trust God’s timing, the Holy Spirit will prepare the time to share. It helps to know that it is the Holy Spirit, not us, that leads people to Christ. This process can take months if not years.

Have you developed a strong enough relationship with your friends so that they not only trust you but see your life as one that is consistent, loving and non-judgmental? Be patient. Your friends need to see that your life is far from perfect. People are looking for authenticity, not perfection.

Have you given your friends the opportunity to share their own reasons as to why they choose not to believe?

*Many reject the idea of Jesus because something bad that happened in their life. They ask, “How could a good God allow people to suffer?” This is a great opportunity for you to share your own personal story of suffering and how throughout it all, Jesus gave you strength and peace to persevere.

“The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:5-7)

Stress of living in a broken world will not last forever. For all who believe in Jesus will go to Heaven when they die.

Rev. 21:3-4 “He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

What about those who doubt because of intellectual doubt? Are you prepared to answer their questions?

“…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15)

Where can we learn how to defend our faith?

I read, and I suggest you consider reading this book as well, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi. It is a wonderful story of two friends who challenged one another as to what they each believed concerning their own religions. The author and former Muslim, Nabeel Qureshi, through his own story, teaches us how to effectively engage Muslims in spiritual discussions. The turning point for Nabeel becoming a Christian was the evidence that Jesus rose from the dead and claimed to be God. Unable to deny the arguments but not wanting to deny his family, Qureshi struggled with an inner turmoil of the cost of believing in Jesus as his savior. It cost him his close relationship with his family but gained access to the family of God.

I encourage you to go to anchorsaway.org and click on the online Anchorsaway.org worldview bootcamp that will teach through video lessons how to defend God, the Bible and the death and resurrection of Christ.