For what it's worth, here is a thought.
I think one of the problems (and God will solve these problems and bring many more to repentance too!) is that we constantly fail to meet people where they are at.
Two things often happen during witnessing and have happened to me many times, don't worry I'm just as much as a fool as the rest of us!
The first is, the Christian fails to glorify Jesus. Basically, the Christian goes too far in going down to someones level and becomes like them, doing the same things of them to the point where if you watched for a few hours and had to point out the Christian, you would have no idea who to pick!
The second is, the Christian fails to get down to the level of the person they are witnessing too. Often this is manifested in a judgmental attitude and a failure to understand why somebody says and does the things they do. If you can understand why somebody is who they are, you are making progress in understanding why they don't know or want to know Jesus and knowing how to remove those barriers.
When we start loving others like Jesus did (i.e self sacrificially, becoming like a servant) I truly believe we will see incredible things happen as people begin to open their eyes to the reality, presence and beauty of God and let Him into their lives.
Of course, we can only do these amazing things through the power of God. So let's be confident because we have a God who gives us what we need and gives abundantly.
Please feel welcome to post any thoughts and comments you have might have on this issue in the comments box below :)
Philippians 2:6-8
Who (Jesus), being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Mark 12:30-32
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
I think there are two problems: People just don't witness, or they witness badly. I have a bee in my bonnet about ignorant Christians. So many today don't know their faith, can't explain what they believe or why. So they don't talk about it because they don't know how and are afraid of questions.
ReplyDeleteThe other problem is not speaking to people where they are: even the word 'saved' means different things to different people, and you have to make them see their need before they will look for a Saviour. I could go on for ages, but that's the idea.
I think two things are:
ReplyDelete1) We live in a comparitively rich country where people can convince themselves that they don't need God and actually what they need is a bit more .... [insert erstatz replacement here].
2) We ALL need to be salt and light. If you're being a great reflection of Christ, but I'm claiming to be a Christian, but acting otherwise, then people might think that your reflection of God's glory and righteousness is a fluke. If someone knows just two people who say they are Christians and act like it, I think that is a fantasitic reflection of Christ's glory (although of course, one is always better than none!).
Jesus stood before the church and said "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations". Later when the church was Baptised with the Holy Spirit they went out witnessing about the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Is their a human introvertness within the church that hinds from Jesus command to witness and grieves the Holy Spirit?
ReplyDeleteMatt
A lot of non-Christians think of church as somewhere where there's a lot of singing going on. And you have to sing along otherwise you're made to feel a bit odd.
ReplyDeleteSomeone like myself who feels very uncomfortable singing, is forced to sing along to hymns and worship songs in church. And let me tell you... this is a VERY awkward situation.
The church needs to keep up with times and realise that not everyone likes the same things. A lot of people enjoy worshipping through song, but then again, there are a lot of people who would rather stay quiet and just listen to what's going on.
I don't know if this made any sense but it's what I've been thinking for a while.
Matt - I think the Church should be getting out there and embracing the community rather than shying away from it. Let's put on free drinks in the middle of town on a Saturday afternoon, let's provides services for those in need. It is real hard to get people on board but the skills are in the Church and we need to encourage those with them to use it :)
ReplyDeleteZega - I totally understand. I love worship through song but you are right. Maybe the Church should have one service on a sunday with no singing?