Strengthening Your Faith
From the beginning of our Christian journey, and throughout our spiritual development, we strive to increase our faith. Growing in
In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples they will become witnesses of Him after they receive the power of the Holy Spirit. I have heard confessions from countless believers, who love the Lord, but feel uncomfortable sharing their faith with those who are unchurched. In this study, we will discover four ways to become a powerful and effective witness for Christ.
ACTS OF LOVE
As Christians, the mandate given to the Church in Matthew 28:18-20, to share our faith can be daunting. For some, there is the issue of fear, insecurity, or insufficiency. Others may have a reluctance to experience different cultures or travel to unfamiliar places. We must understand it is not necessary to travel to foreign lands to be a powerful and effective witness for Christ. We can share our faith from where we are, with the people we encounter daily.
Jesus said, we are recognized as His disciples by our love. “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:34-35 KJV).” Jesus was talking about the highest form of love – Agape, love in action. He is speaking of the kind of love the Father has for the world. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).”
In this dark and sinful world, people are looking for light and love that can only be found through Jesus.. They are searching for Agape, God’s undying, unconditional, and universal love. For many, the only opportunity they will have to experience the love of God is through our reflection of Him. The light and life of the Lord Jesus Christ, when manifested in us, will be a living testimony of His saving grace and transforming power.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please transform me that the light and love of Jesus would flow through me into the life of others. Amen.
OBEDIENCE
John 14:15 teaches us the ultimate demonstration of our love for Christ is to keep His commandments. As believers in a world that is antithetical to Christian principles, we must live according to the Word of God. As we live out the faith that we profess, unbelievers and seekers of God see an example of living a life in Christ. We become witnesses to them, through our lifestyle, of the joy, peace, and grace that we have inherited through our faith.
Obedience is an act of faith. It says, “I believe God and trust Him to fulfill His Word in my life.” Jesus said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 19:14).” Little children believe what they are promised and act accordingly. If a child is guaranteed a special treat for putting their toys away, they will do so diligently, hoping to receive the promise from their parent. Likewise, we should hasten to perform the Word of God, knowing He is faithful who promised.
There are those we encounter who have endured many hardships and challenges in life. They are without hope and looking for something or someone in which to place their trust. When the world sees the people of God walking righteously and obediently practicing the tenets of our faith without wavering, it is a testament of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our obedient lifestyle speaks louder than any words we say.
PRAYER: Lord God Almighty, I desire to be a witness to the world of Your faithfulness and love, that they may know you and believe you. Strengthen me always to be obedient to your Word. Amen.
SERVICE TO OTHERS
On several occasions, the disciples of the Lord asked, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” In each instance, His answer was, “the least among you is the greatest.” The pursuit of greatness drives people of the world. They hunger for status, positions of power, and prestige, to gain recognition and respect from society. As disciples of Christ, we must teach the world the Kingdom’s example of greatness by serving others.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” As we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we become more conformed to His image. We become transformed from the world’s concept of greatness to the Kingdom principle of humility and servitude. When we authentically and joyfully give service to others, we experience the joy of the Lord and become witnesses of God’s love to the world.
Our acts of service say I am no longer “me” focused. I am now “others” focused. It proclaims to the world we trust God to meet our needs, and therefore are free to meet the needs of others. If we are to be effective in our service, we must seek God for the ability to identify the needs of those who are around us. “Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18:4).”
PRAYER: Dear Lord, give me the discernment to see the needs of those around me. May I have the wisdom and humility to serve others, that they may see you. Amen.
SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY
The Word of God teaches us “to be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear… (1 Peter 3:15).” Our testimony is the way we respond to those who question what we believe. Although we share our faith through acts of love, service, and obedience, there will be times in which we must articulate our faith. Our testimony of God’s love, transforming power and saving grace operating in our life is the most effective way of sharing our faith.
Some Christians are reluctant to share their testimony because it may not seem as dynamic as that of others. I often hear believers say their conversion experience is mundane or uneventful, unlike those who recovered from years of addiction, have a criminal past, lived homeless, or some other drastic circumstance. Your testimony has value. It is a blessing to have a wonderful childhood with loving parents, a stable home environment that provided safety and security, and the encouragement needed to accomplish your dreams. Nothing is dull or irrelevant about that.
As believers, we will encounter people who are lost and searching for answers for their situation. When we recognize our experience is relevant to where they are in life, we should pray for the perfect opportunity to share how the Lord has transformed us by the power of His Holy Spirit. That moment will be ideal for offering prayer and salvation to the individual. If the person rejects you, be encouraged, and remember, your testimony has planted a seed to be watered by a fellow believer, and God will give the increase, at the appointed time (1 Corinthians 3:6-8).
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray for the opportunity, and the boldness, to share my testimony with someone who needs to hear you can do the impossible in their life. May my words be timely and relevant to their situation, and glorify you. Amen.
From the beginning of our Christian journey, and throughout our spiritual development, we strive to increase our faith. Growing in
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